From the Acting Head

Welcome to the final edition of eLink for Term 2 of 2020, which rounds off a Term of teaching and learning that has been truly memorable, or intentionally forgettable, depending on your viewpoint and your personal experience of remote learning.

No matter what the experience has been for students this Term, I have asked them to consider that they have come out the other side of a challenging time. Students should feel proud that they have played their part in flattening the COVID-19 curve. The ability of young people to adapt and to endure will stand them in good stead. Students now have this experience to draw on next time their resolve is tested, and they should feel more confident of their ability to cope. 

A colleague is reading Julia Gillard’s autobiography, and she reminded me that in the dictionary, when you look up the word ‘resilient’ there should be a picture of our first female Prime Minister. 

No matter your political leaning, Ms Gillard’s no-nonsense approach and clear prose is something that most Australians can relate to. In her first speech to the nation as Prime Minister, she said: 

“I believe in a government that rewards those who work the hardest, not those who complain the loudest. I believe in a government that rewards those who day in, day out, work in our factories and on our farms in our mines and in our mills, in our classrooms and in our hospitals, that rewards that hard work, decency and effort. The people that play by the rules, set their alarms early, get their kids off to school, stand by their neighbours and love their country”. 

I read this speech extract and could not help making parallels with our own Girton community. Our hard-working parents striving to provide the very best education for their children; our dedicated teachers who frequently go above and beyond for our students; and our students who stand by one another. The notions of hard work, decency and effort are hard to surpass as ideal foundations for a community, a region and a nation. 

In trying times, sticking to principles that are as grounded as decency and effort are both comforting and smart. From her own experiences, Julia Gillard says of facing hard situations;

“Know your purpose. If you are clear on why you are doing something, then that sense of purpose will sustain you. Nurture your sense of self, who you are in your own eyes, not as seen through the eyes of others.”

I cannot imagine truer words to nurture us as we head into the school holidays, and I hope that all families have an opportunity to relax, reflect and re-build in readiness for a productive Term 3. 

Dr Emma O’Rielly

Acting Head