By Jed Lanyon
Healesville High keeps on giving as the school thanked parents dedicated to supporting their children’s education through remote learning, while providing a great boost for local businesses.
Aiming to express gratitude following a long and at times difficult year, Healesville High School purchased over $15,000 worth of vouchers from local businesses as a gift to each of the school’s families.
Principal Allan Rennick said his staff thought it was a good idea to say thanks and support the Healesville community that had backed them.
“I’m aware of how incredibly tough it’s been for many parents and for single parents in particular,” he said. “This is something that has never been asked of them before.
“The teachers and staff have changed the way they go about their jobs and the parents are doing the exact same. I’ve been amazed by how brilliantly they’ve gone about it and how positive and supportive they’ve been.”
Healesville High’s parents were greeted with a $50 voucher and a thank you card in the mail.
“We get given a whole lot of things by the community and are supported in so many ways, so I’d like for us to be able to say thank you to our parents and be able to give back to the community.
“Our job has been made so much easier because of how generous our parents have been. This whole situation could have been so much worse … I’ve said to teachers so many times that my job has been easy, because all I get is positive emails and calls from parents and kids telling me how brilliantly my staff are doing.”
School council president, Kylie Short, said the vouchers were a “thoughtful gesture”.
“I was really surprised, I thought it was such a generous gesture and totally unexpected,” she said. “I found it great that Allan has utilised our local businesses in helping the families in the community, it’s just great.”
Ms Short said she received a voucher for Beechworth Bakery and will be looking forward to enjoying a special lunch with her four children Mikayla, Kailee, Tayah and Jade.
Other parents took to social media to share their appreciation for the gifts.
“Thank you Healesville High School … I have not heard of any other school giving as much support as you, amazing job,” said Rhonda.
“Reminds me why I love being part of such a wonderful community. The support has been fabulous,” said Beck.
Recently, the school acknowledged their senior students by providing each VCE and VCAL student a care package crafted by Watts River Cafe.
The school started welcoming back VCE and VCAL students on-site yesterday ( Monday 5 October). Year 7 students will return from Monday 12 October and years 8-10 will return from Monday 26 October. All students will required to wear masks.
