From the Principal

Thank you to the staff involved in organising Science/ Book/ Humanities Week activities over the past fortnight. We have had daily quizzes, our costume parade and special assemblies and an excursion to the Festival of Bright Ideas for Secondary students. My highlights have been the helpful Oompa Loompas who were instrumental supporting Willy Wonka to host the Primary Book Parade and seeing so many students engaged in the hands-on activities at the Festival of Bright Ideas last week.

These special weeks are intended to highlight the importance of these areas of endeavour and either spark or deepen the engagement of learners across all age groups.

Resilience

At this week’s Book Parade, Secondary students were asked what they admired about their chosen character. The main theme was the resilience or perseverance when faced with significant challenges. It was interesting to hear one student talk about admiring Captain Hook because of his perseverance, even when things didn’t go his way. A different perspective!

Typically, most people would associate resilience with not giving up, pushing through obstacles or challenges, or bouncing back following a setback. As a community, we want our students to develop this important trait. We want them to know how they can manage disappointments or a stumbling block. We want them to appreciate that learning is not a straight path and that it is normal to experience the ‘learning pit’. We want to help them to recognise and utilise a range of strategies when they inevitably find themselves in this situation.

Recently, however, I have been reading some material that has prompted some different thoughts. These sources have placed more emphasis on the goal rather than the response to obstacles. They have framed resilience as maintaining a focus on the intended goal. Yes, there will be challenges and distractions but the learner does not lose sight of the direction in which they are headed.

At our special Secondary Humanities Week Assembly, I was asked to share an inspirational book review. I chose Emma, by Jane Austen. Throughout the novel, Emma’s attempts at match-making and meddling results in general mayhem but also causes much unnecessary hurt for those within her circle. Emma is frequently challenged by Mr Knightley to recognise the impact of her words and actions on others. While there are times when Emma seeks to minimise the impact of her actions or deflect blame, there are many occasions when she genuinely confronts the consequences of her actions and seeks to make amends. Emma wants to do better and be better.

Throughout the New Testament letters, we are challenged to not just believe in Jesus but to live a life that reflects our calling. We are encouraged to fully embrace the life we have in Jesus. Consider the following:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

These verses are an example of a message of encouragement to early believers, many of whom faced enormous opposition and persecution for their beliefs. They are encouraged to keep their eyes on following Jesus.

I recognise that as a school community, we have many individuals for whom a faith journey looks very different. What we have in common is a commitment to living lives that exemplify our values of courage, compassion, faithfulness and generosity, with love underpinning all of them. We want to model these for our children, nurture their development and challenge them when they act counter to these.

Jodie Bennett

Principal