Principal's Report

Dear Members of the Killester Community,

Our gospel this week comes from John and gives us great cause for reflection:

Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked: “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?” Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world’s Light.” (John 9, 1-5)

Our challenge in these unsettling times is to be the light of God in the world for others, there can be no simpler, yet important message for us today. 

The word unprecedented has been widely used these past few weeks, and deservedly so, these are indeed unprecedented times that have caused us to make difficult decisions, at all times however decisions at the College have been made with the wellbeing of students, families and staff at the forefront. As I write, we are about to embark on a longer than planned Term One holiday, there is still uncertainty around what Term Two will look like however I will be sure to communicate to all families once we have been given some guidance around these matters. For the holidays we expect that students will have a well deserved rest and will spend time at home with family. We do not expect students to begin their online learning at this stage. Until April 14, students will only be doing what has been set as holiday homework. I ask that all parents and students check their emails on a fairly regular basis for updates as the response to the COVID 19 crisis continues. The school will be closed from Tuesday for the holidays, should you or your daughters need to contact anyone at the College I urge you to use email as the main form of communication. 

We understand that there will be many in our community for whom the current situation is frightening and stressful. Students have all been emailed three key documents that outline how we will be approaching stability of learning and wellbeing should we need to enact our online learning protocols in Term Two. These documents can be found below, on the College website and on the College Facebook page, and give key advice regarding wellbeing and learning as well as other organisations that can be contacted in times of need. For families, we are aware that the current crisis will place some families under great financial strain, please contact Ms Sandra Rotunno at the College on srotunno@killester.vic.edu.au to have a confidential conversation to discuss any concerns your family may have regarding finances.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at the College who have worked in incredibly trying circumstances in the past few weeks. They have created meaningful online learning opportunities for your daughters that will hold them in good stead in the coming weeks. They have educated and consoled, often with no thought  to their own personal safety or wellbeing. They have been remarkable in their endeavours to ensure the young women of Killester have been the drivers for all of their decision making. I include in my thanks the non-teaching staff at the College who have also been unfailing in their commitment to our students and have done so with good humour and grace. 

Each of the children in my home have been given copies of the Desiderata,  I share with you the first and final stanzas:

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons...

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. Max Ehrmann 1927

We will publish our next newsletter after the Term One holidays. I wish all families good health over the break, and a Holy and peaceful Easter. 

Sincerely,

Ms Sally Buick, Principal