Principal's Message

I have heard it said a few times over the last two months that we are living through a historical period in our lifetime. For a large number of us we can say that we have never lived through a world war, a great depression or a major plague. However, now we can all say that we were alive when the world experienced COVID-19. This has made me reflect on what are our learning could be from being a living participant in a historical period.

Those who love to study or teach history would tell us there is much to learn from history and much to take to help us plan for the future. If that is the case, it may be useful to consider the positives of learning from history and see whether we can actually see them in our actions in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This may be a short history lesson but a worthwhile one all the same.

1. History helps us develop a better understanding of the world.(1)

To go forward you need to be able to understand how things are working now. We need to get a detailed picture of how our society, technology and government are working to ensure that actions are put in place to serve all, especially the most vulnerable. This is modeled in the way that we are using data and experience in other lands to develop a platform to move forward.

2. History helps us understand ourselves.

There is no doubt that people are finding out more about themselves and the way that they respond to situations that are unnatural to them. We have all found that we have had to cope, adapt and change our normal mode of living. We have learnt that we cannot take what we have for granted and we should appreciate the many gifts that this world has given us.

3. History helps us learn to understand other people.

In much the same way we are also finding out about others too. For some we get to see how resilient, creative and adaptable they are. For others we witness their struggles, fears and tears. We are getting an understanding of those who may be different to us and how they are coping. We also recognise whether they are a support to others or need support themselves.

4. History teaches a working understanding of change.

Change can be a difficult concept to understand. Our everyday experiences are different to what others may experience either locally or globally. We are shaped by the customs of our society, cultural differences and community values. In looking back at the events of the past we get to determine the reasons for change and why change is crucial to the wellbeing of our community.

5. History gives us the tools we need to be decent citizens.

It is important that we remain informed about how major world events have come to be. We need to be able to examine the stages of development in any situation and the resultant actions that were taken to ensure that that all aspects of safety, wellbeing and growth are safeguarded. We endeavour to stay on top of any circumstances that arise in order to play a supportive role in catering for the needs of others as well as assisting them getting a clearer understanding of how to help themselves.

6. History makes us better decision makers.

In looking at the past, we can identify what worked and what did not. We can learn from past successes and past mistakes. We begin to realise the pattern of behaviour that supports effective decision-making and allows us to decide our next course of action in a reasonable and empathetic manner.

7. History helps us develop a new level of appreciation for just about everything.

When the story of the first half of 2020 is written, it will be filled with individual and community accounts of sacrifice, bravery, intelligence, perseverance, sadness and death. These are all concepts we can relate to and they give us a profound realisation of who we are as a people and as a civilisation. In addition, it is a story that is shared by people worldwide.

If we classify these last 5 months as historical then we should take advantage of it and see what we can do to learn from it. There can be no doubt that we all have been forced to adapt and change. Many have seen the possibilities and stepped forward to do the best they can, under difficult circumstances, and be the best they can be. From this they have learnt more about themselves than they had known before. It has been a sign of their own personal evolution. I am confident that many at Marian are going to measure their growth over this time in a positive manner.

(1) https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Navigation/Community/Arcadia-and-THP-Blog/June-2016/Why-It%E2%80%99s-Important-That-We-Study-History

Raymond Pisani

Principal