Principal

Life Lessons to Learn from the Coronavirus Lockdown

With the current coronavirus lockdown in Greater Sydney, the regular flow of life has stopped. Basically, our lives have been put on hold. We are asked to stay at home and to reduce our social and outdoor activities to the very minimum. Sounds like an introvert’s definition of paradise, doesn’t it? Yes, in these uneasy times, the quiet ones finally have an advantage in society.

However, for everyone else, extroverts like me, it is an incredibly challenging situation. An outgoing person who craves social contact and whose normal life is full of gatherings and activities can’t just turn into an introverted loner out of the blue. Still, the coronavirus quarantine and lockdown has taught me many valuable lessons about life. Everyone can learn from this difficult situation, both introverts and extroverts.

1. Don’t put your life on hold

This one may sound controversial at first. After all, everyone’s life is on hold right now. But here, I’m talking about our lives before the coronavirus pandemic (and hopefully, after it).

We all have something we dream about but don’t have the courage to fulfil it. We all have plans in life but are waiting for better times to turn them into a reality.

Maybe you wanted to change your career path or have a baby. Maybe you dreamed about travelling the world or enrolling in art classes. Right now, you can’t do any of these things because of the lockdown. We have to wait. And who knows for how long?

When we constantly postpone our plans and dreams, there comes a time when we no longer can (or want) to bring them to fruition. So let us not neglect our dreams and we will not put our life plans and goals on hold, waiting for the right moment. The moment may never come.

2. Live in the moment and find happiness in simple things

Here you are, stuck in your home, bored and lonely. But even in isolation, it is possible to find ways to have fun and things to be grateful for. Use this situation as an opportunity to spend quality time with your family and kids. Plan a stay-at-home date with your special someone. Call your parents. Read books or find an online course you long wanted to take.

This list can be endless. The point is that even in times of quarantine and social distancing, you can enjoy yourself and live in the present moment. The joys of everyday life like a video call with your best friend or a walk with your dog have the power to make you happy.

With the coronavirus lockdown, we all can see that happiness is in simple, everyday things. And most importantly, it is in immaterial things. Expensive jewellery and brand clothes are out of use right now. But simple pleasures like a good read or a warm conversation are worth their weight in gold.

3. Taking breaks is necessary

A hectic, anxiety-fuelling lifestyle has become normal in our world. Before the pandemic, we couldn’t even imagine our days without busy schedules and tons of unnecessary stress; and yet, here they are. The whole world is taking a break from this rat race.

No matter how difficult the overall pandemic situation can feel, we could actually benefit from this break. Take a few moments to appreciate that. Enjoy the abundant sleep you lacked before. Relax at home, take a hot bath, just let yourself be lazy.

We all know that anxiety and stress are bad for our physical and mental health. But being busy all the time can also distract us from fulfilling our life purpose. When our minds are constantly occupied with job worries and mundane problems, we lose touch with our inner selves.

For this reason, taking a break can help us hear the voice of our souls. Use the lockdown time to get to know yourself better and discover what makes you truly happy and brings meaning to your life.

4. Appreciate nature

Here, I’m talking about appreciating nature on both personal and societal levels. Those of us living in the cities rarely have the opportunity to escape the world of concrete and asphalt and get closer to nature.

I’ll bet that right now, many people think about those walks in the park they didn’t take and those trips to the countryside they didn’t go on. Even introverts who don’t go out that often are likely to have this kind of regret. I do. Even when you are not a fan of going outside, it’s great to have an option to do so.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown show us what we’ve been doing to our planet all this time. Now that most people stay at home and tourism is dead, nature is taking back. Scientists report reduced levels of pollution in Italy. Even the waters in Venice's canals have cleared up as there are no tourists in the city and the locals are staying at home!

The sad truth is that we have become parasites to our home planet. Maybe it’s time we start to treat it with more respect and appreciation.

5. Always be ready for the tough times

We have talked about living in the moment and following your dreams. But we should never forget that tough times are a part of life, and we need to be ready. Right now, many people have found themselves unprepared in both a financial and practical sense and they have nowhere to seek help from.

Situations like the current lockdown teach us that we need to stay optimistic but be ready for the worst. Always have a financial safety cushion and health insurance. You never know what can happen tomorrow.

You may say that this is quite a pessimistic approach. It is not. It’s just a realistic one. I’ve got an acquaintance who, no matter how severe your problem is, always tells you one single thing: think positive. Lost your job? Think positive. Have an acute conflict with your in-laws? Think positive. Coronavirus threat? Think positive.

While positivity has plenty of benefits, this kind of advice is valid only to a certain extent. If you get seriously ill or run out of food, no amount of positive thought can help you. Oftentimes, you need to take real actions in order to solve a problem.

Positive thinking is good, but blind positivity is not. Cultivate an optimistic attitude but be prepared for possible adversities that may show up at your door.

Turn this current lockdown into an opportunity for personal growth.

The coronavirus pandemic is a tough situation for everyone, but this too shall pass. Meanwhile, use this period of self-isolation as an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. After all, it’s during difficult times that we discover our inner strength and perseverance.

We are being renewed day by day, we have an eternal hope.

"Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal,” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Five weeks before this day, we had no idea what stood in front of us.

Life as we know it came to a halt.

Yet, none of this has taken You by surprise.

We say that out of a reality of hope rather than a pithy cliché.

You are the all-knowing God in amid an unknown future.

So today, we pause to pray for perspective.

This too shall pass…

Though this season in quarantine seems elongated, it’s only a blip.

History reminds us of the experiences of our forefathers and foremothers.

This season is only a blip in comparison to eternity.

So Lord, give us perspective as we wait.

Now more than ever, we live in the tension of the already, but not yet.

Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

You exchange beauty for ashes.

You redeem the time that seems lost.

Wailing turns to dancing, and sackcloth goes to joy.

Help us to remember; this too shall pass.

As we enter another Saturday in lockdown, give us a vision of You.

Some have lost their jobs and gone on furlough.

Others are exhausted from the extra hours of work.

Medical professionals and government leaders have tarried long days and nights.

And we consider those who have contracted the virus.

Provide perseverance and strength for those who needed.

Sunday is coming, but we find ourselves on Saturday.

We live this day in the reality of the present, but hope for the future.

This too shall pass. 

Amen

Stay strong and be well.

TASS Launch – Reminder for Parents

Further to the news I shared in a recent edition of the Especean (issue No. 22) regarding the launch of the College’s new School Management System (SMS), TASS in Term 4, a courtesy reminder to parents to advise the College of any change in contact details or provide updated medical information by email to enrolments@spc.nsw.edu.au. 

Staffing News

It is with mixed feelings I announce that Mr Benjamin Munday, Director of Junior School will be leaving St Patrick’s College at the end of the year to take up his new appointment as the Principal of St James' Catholic Primary School, Forest Lodge/Glebe. It is sad feelings because we will be losing a wonderful educator and friend but great happiness for Mr Munday as he moves into the principalship of a wonderful school. We acknowledge and thank him for his service to the College. May God bless him in his future endeavours. 

Get Your Vaccination at Flemington Markets

NSW Health will be operating a vaccination Mobile Clinic at Flemington Markets this week. The Mobile Clinic, located at Warehouse Z (enter carpark via Dalton Avenue) will be providing AstraZeneca vaccinations on:

• Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 August - 10:30 pm until 5:30 am the following morning
• Friday 13 and Saturday 14 August - 7:30 am - 2:30 pm

This is a walk-in mobile clinic, no appointment is required. NSW Health has advised that vaccinations are the way out of lockdown and encourage all members of the public to be vaccinated with the available vaccine. 

Please click here for more information on vaccinations. 

A drive-thru and walk-in testing clinic is now operating at Hudson Park Carpark, Mitchell Street Strathfield, between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, 7 Days a week.

Thank you for helping to protect our community.

Covid-19 Testing Clinic

Upcoming Webinar for Parents/Carers

Below are details on an upcoming webinar, Taming Digital Distractions, presented by digital wellbeing expert, best selling author, researcher and mum, Dr Kristy Goodwin. Navigating through the current digital landscape is certainly fraught with challenges; 

Dr Goodwin offers her insight and wellbeing solutions to assist our children in forming healthy digital behaviors. The webinar will be held on 8 September 2021 from 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Further information is available via the link below.

Community News

Please join me in congratulating the following staff members who have recently become parents: 

• Ms Holly Grant and her husband Lachie on the arrival of their daughter, Frankie Rose, born on 8 June
• Ms Amanda Forgione and her husband Mario on the arrival of their son, Samuel Giorelando, born on 4 August.

We thank the Lord for their safe arrival and know these children will bring their families many blessings. 

We keep in our prayers the wife of Mr Thomas Jubb, Amanda, who has had serious surgery this week. We pray for her swift and full recovery. 

In Memoriam

It is with deep sadness that I advise the St Patrick’s College community of the recent passing of Finn Michael Elio Crilly, baby grandson to our beloved teacher Ms Teresa Valente. Little Finn was with his family for a very short time. We ask you to keep Ms Valente, her daughter Samantha and son-in-law Mark in your prayers at this most difficult of times.  

We also keep in our prayers Oliver Thomas (Year 11), and Old Boys Julian Thomas (‘19) and Dominic Thomas (‘17) on the loss of their grandfather, John Thomas this week.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace.

Amen.

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything! 

**except divide by zero