Principals Reflection
After 40 years of teaching, I can say confidently that there is much promise in our youth, which is complemented by my complete admiration for the dedicated adults who staff our school who work extremely hard in support student outcomes and staff welfare, and my deep respect for our many committed parents and family members who are challenged daily to be loving and nurturing role models. As I reach the final weeks of my career in education, I often feel humbled by the experience of having the opportunity to spend time in developing and maintaining quality relationships with people who genuinely appear to appreciate the values that we try to promote at St Patrick's.
Looking back over such a ‘generational’ time period in education, an enduring outlook for all educators and those being educated (which include school staff and parents in addition to students) involves having faith in ‘change’, which ultimately helps create character by developing ‘faith’ - in oneself; in others; in a community; in God. One very important learning for me during our very busy and sometimes challenging times together is an appreciation of the process involved in any faith development. Respectful relationships are paramount in the success of education and it is the manner in which we all engage in individual challenges that tempers the formation of character as we, in turn, engage in group or collaborate responsibilities that helps distil the essential ingredients of faith formation, which include:
- Encounter (a personal experience by the person in truly understanding the reality of the truth of what it means to be in a relationship);
- Knowledge (being aware of our traditions);
- Community Identity (showing our collective concern for social justice through action);
- Celebration (being part of affirming who we are).
All members of St Patrick’s School are involved in encounter, gaining knowledge, developing a sense of our part in various communities and hopefully having good reason to celebrate - as a group we increase our faith in ourselves and others by experience that is always characterised by ‘change.’ It might come as a surprise to some but the Catholic tradition is always changing, is quite radical, however, it is change based on a continuity that is based on a rich tradition, founded upon prayer, reflection, meditation – the essential introspective aspects of knowing self. It is also characterised by outreach – reaching out to the marginalised, trying to fill an emotional, physical, and spiritual vacuum.
Intrinsic to any educational process is change, hopefully positive and affirming. Guiding and facilitating change, as any parent would attest, can involve times when one’s patience is tried. I thank the many families who have provided the school and our staff with the necessary trust in our endeavours to bring about positive change in children’s lives. We all need to be challenged at times and I pray that in all our conversations we are open to the perspectives of others. We should always be prepared to discuss our mutual interests in a spirit of courtesy and consideration. I take heart from the following passage from the book of Psalms, “Test me, Oh Lord, and try me; examine my heart and my mind”. Our actions and decisions do not always bring about happiness for all, however, if we recognise a need to reflect from both our ‘heart and head’, hopefully others can come to understand the reasons for decisions that may be difficult for some to accept.
Regards
Rod Linhart (Principal)