From the Deputy Principal

A gentle reminder

We have recently had students arriving at school who are unwell, a gentle reminder to please keep your child at home if they are sick. 

A life worth living

Over the last little while I’ve been revisiting a book by Hugh Mackay, a social researcher and psychologist.  It reminded me of this reflection I wrote some time ago which I think is worth sharing again.  Mackay wrote a book called the 'The Good Life' and in it he asks and tries to answer a really tough question: What makes a life worth living? That's a big question, but I like his answer. 

Through years of research he concludes that a good life is determined, among other things, by having self-discipline and a willingness to connect with those around us.  We have to remember that we don't just get rewarded simply for showing up.

 Mackay's research shows that "from an early age, children are being trained to expect recognition and rewards for everything they do, so they'll feel like winners.  A gold star for breathing. A certificate for turning up.  Lavish praise for functioning like a reasonable kid.  This is dangerous."

All of this recognition and reward might be good for self esteem, but research has found that self discipline, not self esteem, is more important than IQ tests in determining all round high school performance.  And that's a hard truth to learn.

Mackay goes on to explain that “the truth about us all is that we are frail, flawed, fragile and feeble, as well as many more flattering things. Yes, we can succeed in all kinds of endeavours; we can prosper. Yes, we can be wonderfully compassionate and caring; we can fight for justice and win; we can create beautiful words and objects and pictures…we are all that and more.  [But,] life will frustrate us.  Friends and family will disappoint us.  Some of the lessons we will learn about ourselves will be hard to take.  We won’t always want the truth to be told about who we really are and what really drives us.” 

So, this term is going to be busy, and for some of us it may be hard and disappointing and truthful.  Our students will learn the truth about how they are progressing and they can choose to ignore it or they can do something about it.  We are all flawed and we will all fail and we are all fragile.  But we can make the best of ourselves, live a good life by treating others as we'd like to be treated, with dignity, respect and courage. By working hard and knowing that self discipline is way more important than self esteem.

Mrs Emma Franklin | Deputy Principal