A Note from Nelson

As the end of the School year approaches, it is common for us to reflect on the past year as well as look to plans for the future.  We have had many staff make the decision to retire this year, including three key leaders at Friends': Ina Johnson, Tony Barrett and Mary-Margaret Gibson. We will all miss them and their caring leadership model. We wish all our retiring staff the best for the future.

While we will miss those who are leaving us, we are excited about the coming years and the enriching viewpoints that new staff bring to Friends'. One such example is Shaun O'Rourke, our incoming Deputy Principal. Shaun is a native Tasmanian returning after 17 years at The Taipei American School in Taipei, Taiwan.

In addition to welcoming new families and staff, we are excited for the plans that are underway for the development of new and upgraded teaching and learning spaces on campus that will further the School's Purpose and Concerns. The Friends' School strives to assist young people on their pathway to adulthood: to be clear thinkers who search out 'the truth' and then take action as positive, contributing members of society.  While introducing new learning areas does not guarantee this development, having the appropriate space for students to work together and to develop necessary skill sets is crucial. There will be more information about this in the new year.

I would like to finish this note with one of my favourite quotes - one that I keep in my shirt pocket every day:  It is from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel from his book God in Search of Man. He states "Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement...get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything around us is phenomenal...To be spiritual is to be amazed." 

I hope everyone has a lovely summer holiday filled with the amazement of the world around us.