25 Feb 2021
Business managers are used to handling staffing, maintenance and equipment issues that come with the operation of a school. When ACT public schools moved to remote learning, they found their roles adapted to include helping to communicate with the school community around the unfolding situation.
Chapman Primary School started receiving phone calls and emails from parents who were concerned about how the pandemic and remote learning would affect their children’s education.
“It’s our role to make sure that everyone feels safe at school,” Chapman Primary School business manager Lyn Maley said.
“We had to remain calm.”
A large part of managing concerns over COVID-19 came down to good communication. This meant responding to parent phone calls and emails, setting up virtual meetings with staff and parents, and ensuring all students had access to working computers and internet connections.
Business managers took these new responsibilities in their stride, becoming a reassuring and supportive voice for their school communities during 2020.
“That’s one of our main jobs – we’re here for everyone - students, staff and parents,” Lanyon High School business manager Jade Uttley said.
Making sure schools were clean and safe became another key part of business manager role following the return to on-campus learning.
“On a personal level, I never thought I’d lose sleep over cleaning products!”Dickson College business manager Esther Duffy said.
Schools were very conscious to make sure teachers felt safe coming back to work - especially as they were returning at a time where there were still physical distancing and hygiene restrictions in place.
Melrose High School business manager Claire Clode said to make staff feel more welcomed at their school, organised fun activities like cake-baking challenges and put together wellbeing packages with treats like biscuits.
School business managers truly stepped up during the pandemic, with their leadership having a huge impact in the effort to keep school communities informed, reassured and united during a difficult time.