From the Principal

Currently, there is much uncertainty and anxiety surrounding COVID-19. Given all the ‘advice’ we have received lately, I took a minute to reflect on a beautiful poem entitled Narrative Theology by Father Padraig O’Tuama, a Northern Irish Roman Catholic priest. 

When you have a spare minute, I encourage you to click on this link and read the poem.

In such complicated times I have found Padraig’s poem confronting yet reassuring all at the same time. Most appealing is his inference: ‘You will find meaning where you give meaning’ for it implies personal accountability.  I also like that the poem's suggestions that ‘the story hasn’t finished’ and the challenges ahead in the 21st Century make our roles as educators and parents more important now than ever before.

It is our responsibility to ‘give meaning’ to our youth. We need to ensure they have connectedness in life and teach them the ability to feel things such as pain, love, joy and anger and how to manage them, particularly through challenging situations, as we are dealing with now.

Our five core values of respect, optimism, compassion, gratitude and resilience seem so profound and appropriate for this complex time in world history.    I hope you can find time to reflect on these ideas and give yourself time to nurture and lead your family with assurance. Our young are worth every sacrifice.

Dr Andrew Hirst