Gail Richardson has the unique honour of being president of the only virtual P & C committee in NSW of the Auroral College.
A Parkes resident has taken on a very unique role in our age of virtual communication.
Gail Richardson last month became president of the P & C Committee of the Aurora College, the first virtual school in NSW.
Parkes High School is one of 160 schools that offer Aurora lessons to more then 600 students across the state.
The college offer high potential and gifted students a mix of online and residential school classes in an innovative and flexible learning environment.
“It is amazing that students are given this opportunity,” said Gail. “As a single mum I could not afford to send my daughter to a boarding school in Sydney. Aurora enables her to stay at home, remain part of the community and with her friends.”
The Aurora P & C was formed about two years ago and last month Gail was voted in as president for the new term. “It is a huge honour to be part of the most unique P &C in the state.”
She said the P & C aims to support parents to help their children with their studies by offering webinars and other support. “All our meetings are virtual and the students can participate too.” They have about 50 parents who attend and she would like to see it grow to at least one parent per student.
The Aurora subjects offered to students at Parkes High are maths, English and science. They do their lessons online and also attend residential camps twice per year, which are subsidised. “I applaud this initiative. It is just brilliant and such a great opportunity for country kids to reach their full potential,” said Gail.
By Maggi Barnard