A Word from the Principal

As we charter through uncertain and unfamiliar times, I wondered what my community might like to hear from me.  What am I doing amid these days of hard news? I, like many others, turn to media reports that highlight the good in humanity or the light side to life. Whether it be the penguins that have been allowed to have an excursion through the aquariums or the stories of kindness – these are the ones that remind me that we are a team – all in this together. 

I spoke with my brother who resides in Austria. He worked hard to retrieve his daughters from the Netherlands where they study.  The borders of Austria are surrounded by other countries who are suffering.  Isolation in Austria has gone from the initial two weeks to a much longer period of time.  I asked my brother what he was doing to stay sane – I laughed when he said the same thing – looking for the lighter side.  What can we take away from this experience?

The Washington Post asked their reporters to find one story that had helped them remain upbeat during the week. This is an abbreviated version of the list they came up with but you can find the full story here

1. The kindness of passers-by and strangers to help one another and to touch base with the vulnerable.
2. When nursing homes closed their doors, it takes creative thinking to ensure families can still gather together to wish a resident a “Happy Birthday”
3. Not all heroes wear capes – a reminder that all jobs are crucial for a fully functioning society. When was the last time we thanked the garbage collectors and street sweepers?
4. The amount of time teachers are spending to ensure that the students in their care are also okay – even if they can’t physically see them.
5. Exercising, singing and laughing together from balconies and rooftops.
6. The opportunity for nature to bring people all around the world together – posting the pictures of the birds you can see outside your window is a simple task but the effect was staggering.
7. The field trip for a group of penguins.
8. The ability to rescue a pet from a shelter and spend time getting to know one another.

Is this really nature’s way of sending us all to our rooms, a way for us to reflect on how we connect with each other.  In education, we refer to the global world in which our students will grow up and how important it is for them to realise that we are all on this planet together.  Now it would seem that message cannot be clearer.  The ripples of this virus are felt everywhere in our world, it is important to remember that the acts of kindness are also like ripples – spreading and keeping us together.

Lent is a time for reflection and preparation. Ironically, I feel that this year we are possibly doing this better than ever before. In our reflection it is worth reading the book of Isaiah, his words offer comfort and strength.

But those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Reminder to Parents

Please encourage students who are attending the College to socially distance themselves, not share devices and maintain good hygiene.

Calendar Update

Message for Families

Please click on the attached letter from Gerard Gaskin, Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania for an update on COVID-19

Fiona Nolan

Principal