If you blink, you’ll miss it! What was that?
Life is moving fast and one of the things we have learnt from the past few years is to take the time to appreciate the journey that each of us is called to walk. I encourage you not to miss the important ‘table time’ with the family, sharing food and stories from the day. Please take time to notice the beautiful blooms springing forth from any given garden throughout the different seasons. I’d encourage you to share in the small victories and the challenges faced by your child as they embark on a new year. Tomorrow will have its’ own challenges and demands and quite often we get caught up in the busyness of life and totally miss the most important moments. What is important for you right now? What you pay attention to will grow!
As we embark on a new College year I am excited about the possibilities. I sense we have an opportunity to look beyond COVID-19 despite the current context. I am excited when I see: students and teachers working hard to put together another great College Musical; I am excited by hearing the plans for Dukes to kick-off, giving our students an opportunity to venture into the wilderness; I am excited to see Debating teams fire back up to expore their oratory skills. Whilst we miss out on the Senior School Swimming Carnival there is an opportunity for any student to participate in a Competitors Only event (Thursday 10/2), this should still include many of our students. Please encourage your child to get involved.
In the classroom setting, we embark on a new year with a fresh opportunity to reset and refocus on developing new skills. Plodding with Purpose is a phrase I used at our first Assembly. The analogy here is the story about the Hare and the Tortoise. We might have all the skills and speed of the talented Hare but if we lack purpose and discipline we will fail to ‘win the race’ set for us. The old tortoise was not as fast or talented, but he had determination and he just kept going. His plodding with purpose got him to the finish line to win the race set for him.
We would love you to take the time to take the education journey with us in developing your child as a responsible learner. We have more resources available than ever before. We have teachers that are willing and capable and working hard behind the scenes to give students the best opportunities. We know life is busy, but for me the most important legacy we leave our children is not the material things of life, but indeed a great understanding of the world and how it works; let me call this ‘a great education’. We will unpack what this looks like in following newsletters, but for now, make sure you get time to ‘smell the roses’ and ask your child a few questions:
What went well today?
What was the biggest challenge you had today & how did you overcome it?
Have a great weekend!
James 5:7-8 'Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.'
PS. I have really enjoyed getting back into classes, meeting up with enthusiastic kids and sharing in the learning journey once again…. Speak soon.