Dear Parents and Carers,

Let me start with the story that helps us focus our thinking on a positive start to Semester 2 – it’s perhaps a story you have heard before…

“To survive in the monastery on Mount Serat in Spain you have to have a strong sense of self-discipline. One of the basic rules of this religious order is that its monks must maintain silence. The opportunity to speak is available only once every two years and then each monk is allowed to speak only two words. One young monk, who had completed the first two years of training, was invited by his superior to express his first two words. ‘Food terrible’, he said. Two years later the invitation was once again extended. This time the young monk exclaimed, ‘Bed lumpy’. When two years later he addressed his superior he proclaimed, ‘I quit!’ The superior looked at the young monk and said, ‘You know, it doesn’t surprise me one bit. All you’ve done since you arrived is complain, complain, complain’.”  

A made-up story? Seems likely. However, what would you say if you were asked to share two words which best described your life? Would your focus be on the lumps, the difficulties, the negatives or would it be on the joys, the achievements, the positives. Sometimes we can be a bit like the young monk and lose touch with the purpose of what we are doing in our life; if we let go of our dream, we live without hope and to be without hope is to be without purpose. So, what are the messages that our children receive by watching and listening to us lead our lives? Do they learn to accept and respect the reality of their own life when it is pleasant and painful; do they learn not to blame others? Do they learn to forgive others and themselves and correct their mistakes? Do they learn to be patient, kind, gentle and compassionate with others and themselves? Do they learn that they don’t have to prove themselves better or worse than anyone else?

Finally, what are our words and phrases for ourselves and for our children as we embrace Term 3? Channel your Effort….Just Try it…Be kind…Have a go…. We are improving….

Our new SRC met this week to talk about all things school, and to think about how students can take action for positive growth and change in our school. Congratulations to Sam, Phebe, Hannah, Alice, Isaac, Amy and Huntah who join our captains and vice captains Rory, Luchia, Hugo and Isabella on the SRC! The children will be presented with their badges next Monday.