Principals Reflection

The American Franciscan priest, Richard Rohr, stated, “In solitude, at last, we’re able to let God define us the way we are always supposed to be defined—by relationship: the ’I-thou’ relationship, in relation to a Presence that demands nothing of us but presence itself. Not performance but presence.” This week staff and students returned from the Easter break and appear to be enjoying each other’s ‘presence’ and there is great delight in being able to continue to nurture the special relationships that are subsumed in a ‘typical’ school day, just as there is the realisation that the educative relationship has a ‘performance’ aspect to it that can only be enhanced by the focus on nurturing a ‘presence’ in the rapport between parent-child-teacher.

It was wonderful to be ‘present’ and march with Harrison Fawkner, Jack and Lucy Chapman, Claire Simpson, Sophie and Matilda Franklin, Mrs Adams and Mr Atkins during the recent Latrobe ANZAC Day march. Thank you to the parents who ensured the children were assembled on time and dressed beautifully in full Winter uniform. The need and desire to change is a foundational aspect of Jesus’ teachings and remains as the keystone for any educator and parent. The experiences evoked during Lent, Easter and of involvements in commemorations such as ANZAC day, coupled with any reading of the Gospel, helps reinforce to us the need to change some aspects of our lives where we lack ‘presence’; whether it relates to our relationships with others or our attitude and application to duties. The important point to remember in our change process is the fact that any gain involved in change is often directly relational to our commitment to the process of change and how we feel a ‘presence’ or being valued in this cycle of change.

Last weekend’s Gospel readings centred on Jesus being present to his disciples after he had died – being part of supporting change in their lives without his being physically ‘ever-present’ is an important sub-text in the readings. In a recent conversation about education, I heard the comment that there always appears to be change and we are all aware of both the need for change – the richness of growth that comes from different insights and alignments – and the impediment to growth that can also be associated with change. I am encouraged by our school response when we have been challenged to change and this challenge to be continually assessing what we do, with the resources available, is equally applicable in every walk of life.

I pray that we are united in change that has positive benefits to our children and that we seek knowledge about change processes so that our involvement is informed and supportive of the change philosophy, that we have a ‘presence’ in any change process. I especially pray for the health and well-being of our staff as they enter arguably the busiest of terms of the school year, characterized by moderation, reporting and professional learning commitments whilst balancing the professional-personal responsibilities as they genuinely engage in being a positive ‘presence’ in the life of our wonderful school community.

 Regards,

 Rod Linhart

(Principal)