From the 

Principal

Dear Parents / Carers,

Whilst we bask in the warm glow of the Olympic Games and the collective achievements of our athletes, we should take some time to consider the things required in assisting an individual or team to achieve outstanding success at the Olympic Games.

It clearly takes the collective contribution of many people to create such talented athletes. It requires people to recognise potential and parents and family to nurture and support it. It takes the skills of coaches, mentors and teachers to develop these athletic qualities over many years. It takes the existence of sporting clubs and organisations to provide an outlet for competition and social development. It takes government support to nurture the necessary international involvement and training opportunities. 

The achievements of Ariarne Titmus, Jess Fox, the Swimming teams, the Canoe Slalom and many others happened because in the beginning someone recognised talent and put in the time and effort to enable it to develop.

We can take pride in these fine achievements and as a nation can feel proud of the Olympic Games as a showcase of what Australians can achieve when they work cohesively.

Let’s hope that the Games create a launching pad for the future. A future where talent is better recognised and supported. Talent in a range of endeavours, be they sporting, artistic or academic. All of us know people who had enormous potential but lacked the opportunities, support or direction or realise their dreams.

As parents and teachers, we have a role to play in letting children know we support them in reaching for the best possible outcome in whatever field they choose to pursue. If children know that someone else believes they can achieve their goals, the chances of them making it all the way are massively improved. Aiming high is paramount to success, but all highfliers need a good support crew.                                                                                                   

The spirit engendered by the Olympic Games will only count for something if we heed the message. If we want to feel as good as we have during the last fortnight then we must all remain aware of our responsibility to nurture talent. Talent needs a friendly environment in which to flourish.

Many young athletes represented our country in a range of sporting events - pole vaulting, cycling, BMX Racing, skateboarding. How, many more potential high achievers have we in our midst?  Young people with talent who just need someone to believe in them; to encourage them to target the top and peruse excellence in all manner of pursuits.

Last Thursday, we celebrated the opening of our Italian village. As well as being used as an outdoor classroom for our Italian program, it creates opportunities for children to explore, experiment, question and discover new concepts about the world. Through play, children engage with the people, places and objects around them to form their understanding of the world and how they fit into it. Play helps to develop a child’s knowledge and skills and prepares them for a lifetime of learning both in school and beyond.

As a school we understand the importance of the environment being the third teacher. As adults we often interpret that children need spaces filled with equipment. However, what children need is different spaces filled with nature and structures that encourage imagination and creativity. Schools in general are good at providing environments where students can play sport or climb but imaginative play can sometimes be overlooked.

This morning a student approached me as I was standing outside the pizza van and inquired if I would like a slice of the pizza that they had just baked. When I replied that I did not have any money, I was informed that anything could be money. So, I handed over some leaves from the garden as I was given an imaginary slice of pizza.

Other children were selling coffee from the café that had been made with water from the water pump and mud from the mud kitchen. I noticed children from a range of ages playing together.

Yesterday morning, a preschooler (future 2025 student), was making coffee in the café and offered the teacher on yard duty a cup of coffee. When the teacher indicated that had neither cash nor card, the young preschooler replied, “That’s okay you can pay next time”. This illustrates how through play, children learn to use language to express their thoughts and ideas, and they also learn to listen and respond to others. 

Kind regards,

Anne Babich

Principal