Weekes' Weekly News

Dear Sacred Heart Kew Families,

Being the curious creature that I am, it still grates on me that there are still many questions and statements from my childhood (mostly supplied by adults) that I feel haven’t been answered sufficiently. As a youngster, I always believed that adults had all the answers to life and life’s problems. Clearly, as an adult now, I know that this is not entirely true. 

Questions from my childhood that still require answers for me include: 

Do animals have a secret language? Are they talking about us as we talk about them?

How does time go faster when you’re having fun? How does it know you’re having fun?

Is it possible to know it all?

Why is the sky blue and not brown? 

If the early bird gets the worm, then why do good things come to those who wait? 

If you enjoy wasting time, is that time really wasted?

AND one statement which has also troubled me for some years:

‘You’ll understand when you’re older’ (clearly I still don’t).  

However, the one question that bugs me the most is from the television show ‘Sesame Street’ with the theme song ‘Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?’ I’ve always wondered how one actually gets to Sesame Street? No one actually ever explained this to me. Does anyone know? All we ever received were loose, rather vague and general hints. 

For those unaware, Sesame Street began in 1969 and is considered (by some) as a leading educational television show for children for over five decades, and regularly engages with real life and issues, such as bullying, homelessness and poverty. In seeking the answer to this 50+ year question, I realise that a few years ago (2019), a ‘Sesame Street’ sign was installed at the intersection of West 63rd Street and Broadway (New York), in honor of the show’s 50th anniversary, but that’s not really my point. I just struggle because in the television show, no one ever bothered to answer ‘how we would get to Sesame Street?’ We were all just left pondering this. Perhaps, that was the aim? To question everything, even if there might not be an answer! At least Sesame Street scaffolded my learning in other ways, successfully helping me answer who the people in my neighbourhood were.       

Questions are great aren't they? I once heard someone say ‘questions are the language of childhood’. This makes perfect sense to me, as often, in later life, we have other responsibilities and day to day tasks that impede our curiosity. Sometimes, we may feel that not knowing something might be the better option. Questions connect people, they begin conversations, they open doorways, they also spark moments of learning. We all have questions from time to time and sometimes, as an aside, we may not know who the most suitable or qualified person may be to answer our question, query or concern. 

At Sacred Heart Kew we are blessed with many suitable, qualified and engaging staff members who will happily assist parents and families with a question, query or concern (or even all three). But, how do we know who is the best person to ask? That's often half the problem...

Sometimes your question may be regarding your child and their learning or how their social and/or emotional development is tracking? So, in this instance, the classroom teacher would be the most knowledgeable and suitable person to direct these questions to. Classroom teachers are more than willing to answer any questions parents may have as are ALL our School Leaders (RE, Maths, Literacy and Learning Diversity Leader) for more targeted lines of inquiry and questioning. Or perhaps ask our Specialist Subject teachers (PE, Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Mandarin experts) if you have a more specialised (localised) question. 

In other situations, your question or query may be regarding school fees or administrative type matters, so the school office is the most suitable place to direct this quest for knowledge. Or, it may be a question regarding 'learning and teaching' so the Deputy Principal/Learning and Teaching Leader is best to ask. It might even be a general ‘school policy or practice' related query or question you may have, so the Principal might be the best person to ask your question to. Regardless, we are all here to assist and engage with you. At Sacred Heart Kew there will always be someone ‘best suited’ to answer any question, query or concern families and parents may have, and please note, that your question may be redirected at times, so we can provide you with the best possible support and answer. 

Unlike our friends at CTW (Children’s Television Workshop) now referred to as ‘Sesame Workshop’, we will endeavour to answer your question or concern in a timely manner. We will always do our best to answer you the following school day (if received outside of school hours or on the weekend). In the intial stages we may not be able to tell you exactly where Sesame Street is located, but we will hopefully point you in the general direction (providing more than just hints). All you have to do is ask. 

Wishing everyone a lovely ‘question filled’ (hopefully, with some answers) weekend. 

Kind Regards,

Ed Weekes 

School Principal