Principal Report

Principal Message Week 4 Term 3

It has certainly been a challenging week for all Victorians. I must say that I am finding it very difficult to put words to paper. Our ‘new normal’ has taken another turn and it is hard to keep up with the pace of change that continues to define our days. I hope for all our sakes that once we have clarity, we get a chance to draw breath and adjust once again to the circumstances we find ourselves in.

Firstly, I would like to thank you for your support and understanding. I know this has affected each of you on many different levels. Stage 4 restrictions will mean significant changes to school, employment and lifestyle and I can understand your anxiety and apprehension, as I have been grappling with this myself over the past few days.

To the staff, I say thank you for the speed in which you responded. With little notice, they were able to band together to ensure that every child would have at their fingertips the support they would need for the next six weeks. This was by no means an easy feat and it took every member of staff to make this happen. So, I thank them for their dedication and commitment which has been exemplary and what we have come to expect.

During the first lockdown, I watched and listened to a number of webinars and podcasts regarding wellbeing during this pandemic. One strong take away came from a webinar I joined, hosted by Positive Education Schools Association (PESA), is that from chaos- growth will transpire. During this webinar, Professor Lea Waters spoke specifically on the impact COVID-19 was having on families. There is a period of shock which after a little action will rebound but then move through phases of fear, uncertainty, confusion, frustration, anger but then turns once again for the positive towards understanding, control, hope, clarity, readjustment and growth. The curve is far from linear and in fact, if I was to try and give you a visual it is more of a wave which ends with an upward projection.

I think over the next few weeks there will be many of the emotions that we are going to all go through. Once we pass this initial shock and chaos we will start a period of integration until our new normal once again settles in and the way ahead looks brighter. I know there will be ups and downs and there will be moments where we just want to throw our hands up, but what gives me great conciliation is that we have done this before and humans are greater adapters. Our world has been through many great challenges and this is just another of these. Our human ingenuity will persevere and come through. Last time as a nation we spoke of being in this together and I was buoyed by the kindness and empathy that permeated our tv screens and social media. I hope that this will ring true again.

Through great adversity, amazing things can come to be and I hope when this has passed we can look back and remark on the achievements of human endeavour, resilience and perseverance yet again.

Maria George

Many of you may remember Maria, she was pastoral associate at St Columba’s for many years. I would like to ask you to keep Maria and her family in your thoughts and prayers. 

This is a message form Fr John:

Maria George has been battling illness and has now entered a time of more profound uncertainty and fragility with her illness. Maria has made many connections over the years with various faith communities and organisations within the Archdiocese, including our own parish. While we cannot offer any answers, our call as a parish is to offer our compassionate solidarity in prayer with and for Maria, her family and her friends. Let us take this opportunity to support Maria and her family as we pray for the gifts she needs to receive at this time in her heart to bring her hope and healing.

Maria played such an important role in the parish and in school life for a very long time and I know that our community will keep her in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

This is a beautiful story you may like to sit and listen to with your family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yQv4_rhhU4