FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents and Carers,
It is great to be back at school even though school looks and feels a little different. It is great to connect with our teachers who have worked tirelessly through the holiday to ensure learning for each of their students continues, and that students have the opportunity to make progress. We have a small group of students here this week and next. Our teachers who can be on site are on a supervision roster, I am thankful to them for their presence here whilst still managing all the remote learners. We thank the families who are able to continue to supervise their children at home for remote learning. We are yet to finalise the stages of the transition to school plan for all of our students and will communicate hopefully next week what that plan will look like at St Patrick’s.
Perhaps you have been seeing on social media some lovely images, quotes and messages of optimism and hope at this covid-19 time. I have been inspired when people share more of the beauty in their world – that they now have time to notice; some of the new patterns of behaviour that are helping them to appreciate family time; some of the creative ways to support one another when we’re feeling down; and some of the simple joys that are occurring each day. It has made me stop and take account of the ‘world that was’ and the ‘world that is’ toward the ‘world that will be.’
Whilst not Covid inspired, and not related to our physically distanced world, this extract from the writing of the late American writer and journalist, Emma Bombeck; written after she had been diagnosed with cancer, did lead me to similar thinking of those social media posts and the opportunity to find hope and joy in our current situation. She wrote:
“If I had my life over:
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten popcorn in the ‘good’ living room.
I would have taken time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about the grass stains.
Instead of wishing away months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realised that the wonderment growing inside me, was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I never would have said, ‘Later; now go and wash up for dinner’.
There would have been more ‘I love yous’, more ‘I’m sorry’.
But mostly, given another shot at life I would seize every minute – live it – and never give it back.”
I hope that there are experiences, people, opportunities, and even words like these that help us all to make the most of each moment and be filled with gratitude and hope. As adults our attitude and approach will certainly make a difference to our children and their experience now, and their memories of this time in the future. We know they learn more from what we do than what we say, and their radars will be very alert at this time. Don’t forget to enjoy time with your children, get lots of sunshine and outdoor time, turn off the news and turn on the family time, play a board game, do a puzzle, bake a cake….. just do some memory making things together.
As people of faith and people of hope, let’s look for the blessings!
Jo