The COVID-19 Management Team was tasked with the extraordinary responsibility of transferring the learning and teaching at Ivanhoe Girls’ to an offsite environment, and responding to the ongoing health crisis as it unfolded over the course of the year. This included the staged return of staff and students on a number of occasions to school, amid ongoing health and safety concerns for everyone in the school community.

By the end of November 2020, the COVID-19 Management Team had met on more than 90 occasions to discuss every detail of the School’s comprehensive response to the pandemic.

Discussions ranged from changes to the School’s Learning and Teaching policies and philosophies; alterations to core curriculum; the transition to working from home for staff and students; COVID Safe plans and protocols; infection management and control; temperature screening guidelines; IT Infrastructure and troubleshooting; and planning for the event of a confirmed COVID case in the school community.

“The COVID-19 Management Team have worked exceptionally well during the pandemic,” says Melanie Dow, Director of Communications and Marketing. “From long hours of negotiation with differing views and opinions all being heard via Zoom to the quick implementation of plans based on government guidelines, we have always been driven by the safety and health of our student and staff community.”

The COVID-19 Management Team included Dr Deborah Priest, Principal, Jan Leather, Acting Head of Senior School and Director of Learning and Teaching, Mary Bourke, Head of Junior School, Jarrod Guiney, Director of Corporate Services, Melanie Dow, Director of Communications and Marketing, Susie Lyons, Staff Coordinator, Helen Moore, Deputy Head of Junior School, Cynthia Fois, Human Resources Manager, Louisa Scerri, Director of Learning and Innovation (from October 2020) and Davina McClure, Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School (from November 2020).

The COVID-19 Management Team took each day as it came and implemented the necessary changes ensuring communication was timely and clear to all of our community. The partnership between students, staff and parents throughout this pandemic has been exceptional. We thank all members of our community for the role they have played in the School's successful response to the pandemic. A favourite saying throughout 2020 has been, "it is what it is, so let's just get on with things and make the most of what we have."

COVID-19 Timeline

• 25 January - First case of COVID-19 diagnosed in Australia
• 11 March - World Health Organisation declares COVID-19 a Pandemic
• 12 March - Ivanhoe Girls’ COVID-19 Management Team meet formally for first time
• 16 March - The Hon. Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria, declares a State of Emergency
• 20 March - Australian international borders are closed
• 21 March - Social distancing rules are imposed by the State Government
• 23 March - Ivanhoe Girls’ moves to an offsite learning model for all year levels 
• 15 April - Offsite learning continues into Term 2
• 25 May - ELC–Year 3 and Years 10–12 return to onsite learning with remaining students continuing offsite learning
• 22 July - Face masks become mandatory for anyone 12 years or over in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire
• 2 August - Daniel Andrews declares a State of Disaster in Victoria. Stage 4 restrictions, including a curfew, are introduced after COVID-19 cases soar.
• 4 August - Offsite learning recommences for all students in ELC–Year 12 (excluding children of essential workers)
• 6 October - ELC returns to onsite learning at school
• 12 October - Prep–Year 2 and Years 11–12 return to onsite learning at school
• 26 October - Years 4–6 and Years 7–10 return to onsite learning at school
• 1 November - Australia declares the first day of no new COVID-19 cases since June 9.