From the Principal

As I am writing this, it is pouring outside. Earlier in the day it was sunny and gorgeous. It reminded me of when I first moved to Hobart, being so surprised at how changeable the weather was. Where I came from, if it said ‘rain’, it would usually rain for days. And 'sunny' stayed sunny for days too. 

The changeable weather has a lesson for us. Ruling out the extreme weather, we shouldn’t make plans according to the forecast, we just need to adapt to it. The same is true for our interactions with people. We should have a planned approach – based on respect. We shouldn’t deviate from that plan when things go astray. More and more, it seems respect is being eroded, in parliament, in the media, on the world stage, on the roads, and so on. 

Let’s reinstate respect. At our school, we behave with respect. We show respect to all members of our community: children and young people, their families and our staff. Respect is one of our four Presentation values. As the adults in the community, we need to be models of respect for our children and young people. 

This is a universal truth.

“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. My grandmother, and probably yours too!

“Evil gossip kills three: the one who says it, the one who listens, and the subject of the gossip” Talmud (Judaism).

“Speak a good word or remain silent” Prophet Muhammad, Hadith (Islam).

“Five keys to right speech: spoken at the right time; spoken in truth: spoken affectionately: spoken beneficially: spoken with a mind of good-will.” Buddha (AN 5.198) (Buddhism).

“Bare enmity towards no one” Bhagavad Gita 16.1 (Hinduism).

“When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need … Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others.” Ephesians 4:29,31 (Christianity).

Helen Spencer

Principal