Principal's Reflection
Our School Vision Statement states: St Patrick’s Catholic School endeavours to be a Jesus - centred community in which staff, parents and students collaborate to provide an environment where the worth and dignity of each person is realised and appreciated through collectively living out and implementing the Gospel values of Jesus Christ. We all need a guiding imperative, a simple mantra or set of principles that act as a touchstone for our thoughts, deeds and interactions and this school vision statement provides an ‘anticipation’ or aspirational goal that assists us, as would a ship’s keel (which is intended both to steady the boat and to make it handy to steer), when the stormy waters of inter-personal differences may cause us to feel like we need to ‘batten down the hatches and bring in the sails’ in the light of stormy weather. Building a community that is Christ-centred is an aspiration for our school and implies that we, as a school community, can overlook the idiosyncrasies of others in an effort to build a community that by ‘looking after each other’ we can create a community of positive action. Our extremely busy school schedule, as with our own busy lives that compel us to be often serving the interests of others, can often distract us from the importance of the term ‘service’. While it is little wonder that many of us feel a little jaded, to be of service to others and provide life to our mission as educators, parents, sons or daughters or work colleagues, we need to feel joy in our mission.
It is said that the greatest weariness comes from work not done. I am sure we can all attest to such a feeling, however, there is so much inspiration that comes from observing the simple yet affirming actions of our children. The outstanding efforts of so many of our students in helping support our school’s mission is often quite astounding, as characterised by; the generosity of students such as Eamon, Ruben, Monty, Nate who volunteer to set up the hall in the morning for assembly; the tremendous efforts of Dana, Maria, Alivia, Sophia, Emilia and so many others who regularly take it upon themselves to keep our playground tidy; the generosity of time and spirit displayed by Kale, Tully and Adam in helping Mr Angliss provide breakfast two mornings a week; the small but not insignificant acts of helpfulness shown by many of our students each day such as Frank whose simple action of consoling a classmate who was hurt during a lunch-time soccer game speaks volumes of what we are endeavouring to instil in our children; the ‘good morning’ that staff receive from so many students each day; the comments I receive from members of the local and extended community who commend a class’s behaviour or a student’s WEST qualities.
I am thankful that my work enables me to work with children of St Patrick’s Catholic School for it is by their simple generosity that we find the most profound reason for being – the delights in what we adults find mundane and the honesty and sensitivity that has not, as yet, been compromised by the sometimes-adverse effects of time and experience. They provide a useful and meaningful ‘mission’ for us each day. Children are, arguably, more educated by what we, as adults, ‘are’ rather than what say. Carl Jung, a contemporary of Freud, reminds us in the following quote that we all, regardless of our work, usually do our ‘jobs well’, however, there is something remarkable about those who ‘bring heart’ into any of the tasks that are associated with their jobs: “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” Whilst I am incredibly grateful to continue to be enriched by my work with your children, I am incredibly humbled and appreciative to work alongside such dedicated and talented staff – my thanks to them are sincere and deep. Similarly, I feel privileged in my daily interactions with so many parents whose vision for their children accord with ours, and are collaborators and, in many ways, colleagues for a time with our shared desire for their children’s welfare and outcomes.
This newsletter, the final for the year, includes important information regarding our school routines and I commend it for your reading and reference. I wish our families the best for the Christmas season and a very happy new year, and I look forward to welcoming families on our first school day of 2022, Thursday 3rd February 2022.
Regards,
Rod Linhart (Principal)
The school office will close for the school holidays from noon on Friday 17th December the school Office will open on Monday 24th January 2022. Inquiries can be made during the holidays by ringing the school telephone number; please leave a message if no-one is able to answer the phone and a return call should be made to you within 24 hours.
