From the Head of Senior Secondary
A letter of reflection and gratitude from the 2021 Head of Senior Secondary
Dearest colleagues, parents and students,
As I come to the end of my time in this role, one can’t help but reflect. With this reflection comes some regret, some satisfaction but mostly deep gratitude.
2021 turned out to be very different to what was anticipated and unfortunately not because it was so much better than expected! Visions of careful forward planning, clear timely communication and many fun activities connecting the campuses and building House spirit and inclusiveness, sadly, did not come to pass.
Spending too much time focusing on regrets, however, is generally unhelpful – better to learn something and move on in the most positive way possible.
More helpful, I believe, is stopping to say thank you for the many blessings of this year. There are too many to list but here is a brief summary.
- Amazing staff who consistently go above and beyond.
Every year our staff are wonderful. They are passionate about their teaching, selfless with their time and contribute to the “bigger” life of the school in many different ways. For some it is travelling away at the end of a long week to take a rugby team somewhere to play. For others it is offering an extra seminar for a Year 12 class just before their exam. I could go on and on and on …..
This year everything was murky! Last minute changes required staff to re-plan, adjust and sometimes just cope! I am so grateful for the flexibility and kindness of our staff under these difficult conditions. Their professionalism and genuine care for the students and fellow staff members has been appreciated beyond what I am able to express.
- Parents who support their children and the school.
Our parents (and other friends) usually take pride of place in our events and help to facilitate many of our co-curricular opportunities.
This year they have been excluded from events due to cancellations and restrictions. Furthermore, plans have changed rapidly and the usual amount of notice was often not given. The grace with which our parent community accepted and adapted to these challenges was another source of gratitude.
This role sometimes involves less than happy phone calls and/or meetings with parents but the respectful partnerships and commitment to achieve positive outcomes has been appreciated.
- Our students who are “gold”.
I really can’t find adequate words to explain the love and respect I have for our students. I have often been heard to say that our kids are “gold” and it comes from the bottom of my heart. Our students surprise me regularly with their co-operation and flexibility, their talents and their courage, their down-to-earth practical natures and their sense of fun (and SO many other things!).
This year it has been tough to watch their opportunities to be the best version of community, be so limited. They have missed each other and we have all missed the fun.
In typical resilient fashion though, they have done their best and endured with hope and perseverance.
As I have said before, being involved in young people’s lives is an immense privilege. Please accept my grateful thanks for your support and partnership throughout this year.
I am praying that these holidays are full of rest, fun, love and joy, for all of our Calrossy families. Praying also that this Christmas season will be full of the deep peace of knowing the saviour of the world and His very real love.
Kindest regards,
Dianne Cameron
Head of Senior Secondary