Letter to Family and Friends

Dear Pilgrim Families,

Over the weekend my eldest daughter celebrated her 11th birthday. As we had dinner together we shared stories of her arrival and the changes it brought in our family life. The kids sat, engaged and laughing, listening to our retelling of her arrival. I was trying to finish building a chicken run with my toddler ‘helping’ before we left for the hospital. I kept getting reports sent to the back of the yard on how my wife was progressing and she said she would let me know when the time was right. I was getting the last section of fence completed… and the message came, yep... it’s time! 

We rushed to the hospital and Arianna was a much speedier birth than either of us had expected. As I held her in my arms looking out at the autumn leaves from our hospital window another change of seasons had come to our family and our lives. 

As we welcome the crisp air and colourful foliage of autumn, we are reminded that this season is not only a time of natural transformation, but also a powerful reminder of the changes and growth within our own lives and those of our children. Just as the trees shed their leaves to make way for new growth, our children too experience seasons of change and development.

Autumn teaches us the beauty of letting go. It's a time when nature sheds its old to make space for the new. Similarly, our children may experience transitions in their physical, academic, social, emotional, or spiritual lives. From transitioning to a new year level, forming new friendships, discovering new interests, or celebrating another birthday, autumn presents opportunities to embrace change and embark on new adventures.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Just like the vibrant colours that paint the landscape during this season, our children are also filled with potential and possibilities. Our Christian faith encourages us to embrace growth and transformation, to nurture the seeds of curiosity and creativity within our children. It's a time for them to explore, learn, and flourish, much like the way the earth prepares itself for the coming winter.

As parents and educators, let us support and guide our children through their own seasons of change. Let us encourage them to embrace new challenges, to learn from their experiences, and to never be afraid of stepping out of their comfort zones. Just as the autumn winds carry whispers of change, let us foster an environment where our children feel empowered to grow and thrive. 

We want to see our children valued, seen and known. They can rest in the knowledge of a loving, merciful God who delights in the changes and growth in each one of them. Together, let's embrace the winds of change and watch our children blossom into the remarkable individuals they are meant to be.

My prayer is that this term is filled with growth, discovery, and endless opportunities for each child in our community.

Warm regards,

Andrew Edmondson

Principal