Principal's News 

Prayer

Jesus, our friend, you invite us to your banquet of love. Help us be your hands and feet in this world and show your compassion to all those in need.  Amen. 

19th August 2021

As we conclude this week and set ourselves for the next two weeks of lockdown let us recall what we have achieved so far in the lockdown periods.

We have been required to adjust, change our original familiar ways of being and called upon our solid resources of resilience.   It has not been easy.  It has been a challenge to consistently reset and realign our work, teaching and general living.  This has and will continue to be the situation for the children, parents and teachers in the coming fortnight.  And we will do it.

The pleasing factor is that we have got through.  Our resilience as a school organisation continues to show.  It has been on display for others to see and to also gain strength and momentum from each other.  This is the beauty of being in a compassionate, bright and joyful community.  Being available to others.  There have been some postponements of Parent Association events as we discussed last night at our meeting, however we will get back to them in the future.

As a country kid we used to throw stones across dams and rivers.  To see them skip skip skip and then sink to the bottom. There was some fun in this and the competition was on to find a flat ‘skimmer’  and hurl it low and flat to get the most bounces. Maybe in the pre COVID times we were ‘stone skippers’!    On the go, from one thing to another and then sinking or collapsing/ exhausted.

If these times could provide an opportunity for adjusting maybe it is just to ‘be’.  It is not to have a ‘to do’ list but possibly a ‘to be' list.

(I’m not too sure that I have made that transition yet.  Something to work on)

Updated School Operations Guide

Use of playgrounds:

In metropolitan Melbourne, playgrounds remain open for school use only, for students receiving on-site supervision, but are not available for community use at any time.  Unfortunately we will be shutting all gates to the school to comply with the regulations.  

Afghanistan

The news reports coming out of Afghanistan this week are disturbing and depressing. 

In 2014, I was able to be part of a team of teachers to support many Afghan young boys and families on Christmas Island, who were being held in detention by the Australian Government. They were refugees fleeing persecution and seeking asylum. I came across this journal reflection this week about life on Christmas Island. 

 It does provide some perspective.

My family my future and my life.

Mortaza Mohammed Hayati

These words mean so much to these boys.  M and I sat down after lunch (chicken and rice again), and just commenced having a chat.  It is good to be about and out during the breaks as the connection between these great kids is needed.

M sitting under a tree alone explained to me that he was tired.  That he was going to not come to school tomorrow, as he was tired. More flat than tired. Probably traumatised. I mentioned though that we had soccer and a game in our Bluearth session tomorrow and that he enjoyed it and that he could sleep all day Saturday.  This wasn’t the concern.  He doesn’t sleep soundly like other young blokes his age, he may on the mainland.

He along with many others do not sleep much during the night when they have so much time for reflection. 

M has an older brother 22 and a sister nine.  M is 17.  His father died 5 years ago as a result of the crisis in Afghanistan and his mother 4 years ago because of her heart. His father's sister's husband organized for M to leave Afghanistan.   He explains that he was sent and that things are still unsafe.   M is a Hazara.  Hence the worry, the isolation, rejection, anxiety, and loneliness.  They are not well liked by the Taliban.

He constantly thinks of his family, his life and his future.  ‘I’ve been here now 13 months.’  I think of my family, life and my future.’ We all think about what lies ahead but not to this extent. Still waiting, thinking, remembering, projecting. He and I became a little bleary eyed.  It is difficult to hold onto hope when we co exist in this place and all we can do is to just be present to each other.  And we are.

I mention that we have no control and only can pray (he to Allah and me to my God) and hold onto that glimmer of hope, as dim as it seems at times.   To keep optimistic and hopeful that something will happen. I hope that it is not a false hope.  Ideally it would be for all these young fellows to be on the mainland and that we do meet up one day.

He prays.  He is a lot better at it than me. Five times a day as a Muslim.  First prayer at 4.30 - 5 am.   I tell him that I pray.

M is a real honest and a solid trier.  Listens and seeks out assistance. A great fellow. A keen learner and a friend/ mate.

I write this journal message, again affected with the frustration, bewilderment and yet deep love and admiration for the young people here and for what is happening here at Christmas Island.

September 2014

I spoke to Murtaza yesterday.  He is in Sydney on a 5 year Temporary Protection Visa.  He is not in a good place.  Afghanistan is a mess.  Not much has changed for these Afghan Hazara young fellows and their families.  Please remember our Afghan friends in your prayers.

Faith in our Future

Brendan Flanagan

Principal