Principal Report

Principal’s Message Week 7 Term 4 2019

It was roughly six years ago today that I walked into a panel of four to be interviewed for my role as principal here at St Columba’s. In preparation, I had spent considerable time considering what it was that I would bring to St Columba’s and what my dreams and aspirations for our school and community would be. Today I would like to share with you this reflection that I feel sums up for me why I, first of all, I became a teacher and what drives me each day in my role as principal.

I dream a school where learning will be celebrated

where there will be laughter and loving

where there will be songs and dancing

where all people will celebrate the joy of living and learning.

I dream a school where anything can happen through discovery and

the beauty of ordered learning will be open to innovation and spontaneity.

I dream a school where both playground and classroom will be places of safety and fun

and everyone will have a friend.

I dream a school where straight rows of desks will give way to join the circle

 so that seeing one another we shall see that there are other ways to learn.

I dream a school where risks can be taken and mistakes made

and successes celebrated and built upon.

I dream a school that is curriculum focused

 child centred

community oriented

culturally enriched.

I dream a school where children are recognized as thinkers, feelers and doers

 and the ‘whole’ person is educated.

I dream a school where what I read in the Gospels comes alive in our life together.

I dream a school where all differences will be ended and

where each person will be accepted

and valued for who they are.

Author: Unknown

Five years on I can see in these words my dreams and aspirations and I truly believe this is becoming the reality for our school and community. In the coming week, you will receive in the mail our new Strategic Directions. This is a very exciting time for our community and I look forward to partnering with you to make our dream ‘St Columba’s – a school for the future’ a reality.