In the Junior School we are celebrating Grandparents’ Day next Friday on the 1st November. There will be a concert followed by classroom visits and the option to purchase items at the Book Stall.

It warms my heart to see the special kind of love that spans generations. What a privilege it is to host many College grandparents and grandfriends next week. It is a wonderful opportunity for our guests to visit the children in their classrooms and have a glimpse of the kind of learning they experience in this day and age.

Grandparents play an invaluable role in the lives and of children and provide a vital link between generations. Very recently, I discovered more about my own heritage and it was a humbling and emotional experience. Both set of my grandparents migrated to Australia from completely opposite ends of the globe. With that came incredible stories and histories, revealing the character and determination my ancestors had for a hopeful and optimistic future. A future that I have benefited from. Grandparents’ Day is a great opportunity to share stories with the youngest generation and to strengthen their connection to and understanding of their unique heritage.

I want to acknowledge that for some in our community days like these are more complex and challenging. For those families, my thoughts and prayers are with you. The teachers are there for those who do not have a visitor this year. I’ve been greatly encouraged by some of our visiting grandparents in previous years, who have included other students in the class who do not have a visitor on the day. This is a beautiful gesture of kindness within our community.

We look forward to welcoming grandparents and grandfriends next week.