PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

“In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.’*

My kids loved this story when they were younger…and so did I. Eric Carle’s timeless classic has been a staple for generations on a worldwide scale. It is one of the greatest childhood classics of all time. During the recent interruption to school normality I had the time on my hands to reconsider this in view of the radical changes we are faced with…and the ensuing opportunities. This beautiful little story perfectly encapsulates the different stages and changes we all experience in our lives. It also is a wonderful analogy for the inevitable pain, anxiety and fear experienced before a major transformation. 

Change follows a pretty conventional pattern. Initially we all have our personal values, expectations and coping mechanisms that are derived from our early upbringing and subsequent experiences. These will inevitably match our environment. Within this cosy little bubble everything is fine, is pleasant, is predictable. It is comforting. 

As it is in life, so it was for the caterpillar. As a result of sampling the different experiences that life provides, either our environment changes, or we begin to change the way that we think. Many of us (if not all of us) experience a time where we begin to realise that what we used to think and do are no longer appropriate…or even functional. Doubts and uncertainty abound. Anxiety surfaces and can be crippling.

Some of us embrace this and forge ahead – excited by the new challenges and possibilities. But for some this is not the case. For some this is difficult. For some this is catastrophic. Some of us seek the comfort of reversion to thoughts, beliefs and practices that have worked in the past in an attempt to restore our balance and confidence. In an attempt to regain control. We hold on to old beliefs and ways of thinking.

This is not the way of the world, more often than not, leaves us feeling confused, mired, lacking direction and overwhelmed. Many find themselves in a position where they are unable to cope.

When this occurs we are faced with a pretty simple choice.

Learn.

Adapt.

Grow.

Flourish.

Or not.

Life is change and it is remarkably constant. No matter how much we protest and resist, life is change. After 60 years of buying the Courier Mail each and every day - my dad now reads the paper on his iPad. 

In fact, he reads about 10 newspapers…he is pretty stoked. COVID-19 did this. 

He adapted. Our responses to change, in many ways define who we are and how we choose to live our lives. It will certainly define how we emerge from what has been one of the most difficult time in the lives of many of us. 

What do we choose?

As the students transition back we are presented with a real opportunity to embrace change, and turn the recent adversity, and in some cases real tragedy into an opportunity for discovery, renewal and growth, and like our little mate from the story, we can evolve into all we can be.

Paul Humble | Principal