Principal's Reflection

Pope Francis is attributed as saying, “"During Lent, let us find concrete ways to overcome our indifference...Fasting makes sense if it really chips way at our security, as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the style of the good Samaritan who bent down to his brother in need and took care of him." All ‘good education’ involves a degree of introspection, the ability coupled with desire to use newly learned knowledge, understandings and skills to embark on a new and hopefully more fulfilling experience. However, all ‘good education’ is also usually associated with a degree of sacrifice; the willingness and necessity to give something up – time spent on more idle pursuits, relationships that are ‘counter-productive’ or even aspects of financial security – which aligns beautifully with the intent of Lent.

During this time of Lent, the value of introspection is heightened, however, introspection is empty and wasteful if it fails to lead to some positive action. We all know someone who never gives up and as parents and educators, we wish to inculcate in our children and students the quality of resilience and tenacity, which are hallmarks of being effective learners and contribute to being people of character. Tenacity, or the ability to keep trying, to be resilient and almost unrelenting in the face of hardships and challenges, is a quality that characterises many of the lives of people we look up to as role models, even as heroes. Louis Pasteur, the famous scientist, stated the maxim common to people of achievement when he said, “Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity”.

Herein lies the great revelation for us that Lent provides – what do the goals that we have set ourselves reveal about our character? As with no other ‘season’, Lent compels us to reflect on our character, and often our character is tempered by the goals that drive us and how we seek to achieve these goals. In meeting with staff on a regular basis, I can attest that our staff set themselves goals that are aimed at enhancing learning outcomes for the students in their care. I believe they go about achieving these goals in a sensible and considered manner. There is the realisation, though, that these goals that are established by staff, are reliant on support from families and the cooperation of the children. It is heartening that we are part of a school community that is characterised generally, as being likeminded in our appreciation of ‘the common good’, which allows for affirmation of an individual’s quest for excellence, a quest or journey that relies on significant intrinsic motivation and external support and resourcing.

The many variables that are subsumed in this process are not unique to education; if our home-school goals and strategies are not complementary, if we are not tenacious and consistent in setting realistic goals that are mutually inclusive, do not be surprised at a disappointing outcome. Lent ‘permits’ us to reflect on our character to allow growth through correction, which offers us much regarding goal setting.

Thank you to all in our school community who, through their individual tenacity, tempered by honest introspection and complemented by values such as compassion, hospitality, respect and mercy, contribute to a common good by working towards realising worthy goals this Lent and beyond.

Regards,

Rod Linhart

(Principal)