Welcome! It is a pleasure to be writing to you today regarding our school, our students, and their learning.
The book of Judges has much to teach us in the way of knowing ourselves and the way in which we work and live in the world around us. In the time of the Judges, the nation of Israel continued to do what was right in their own eyes, were overrun by waring nations and then needed God to save them by way of a Judge or deliverer. Today when we experience conflict, trials, and calamity and when tough times come along, we are prone to seeing the person or situation that has come against us as the problem to be solved. We see our battle as against something moving us away from peace and contentment and we define winning as a return to our previous circumstances or better. However, a better way of responding is to see the opportunity of allowing God to step in and do something wonderful, either by maturing our understanding of ourselves or by prompting us to look at the circumstances differently. James, the brother of Jesus suggests that we consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds because the testing of our faith produces patience which when practiced may help us to be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1: 2-4 paraphrased).
I joined SCC at the beginning of Term 2 and have loved every moment. The staff and students have made me feel very welcome as have several of our parent community whom I have had the privilege of meeting. However, the term has not been without trials and times of uncertainty. The easing of the COVID restrictions has been very welcomed however we at one moment this term had 38 staff and over 400 students away from school. We have also had staff and some students in car and motorbike racing accidents spending extended time in hospital. In the midst of this there is a spirit of joy and hope across SCC. Our Senior School Cross Country team achieved their ever-best results in the ACC carnival held recently. We continue to celebrate various sporting achievements and have recently enjoyed a wonderful morning of music as our students took part in the Junior Eisteddfod. By far a highlight for Term 2 would be the hilarious play, Murder at Checkmate Manor. The production presented by Fenceline Theatre was a resounding success and enjoyed by several audiences over four nights. Still to come this term is the Junior School Edu Dance performance in the Maali Mia, Year 11 2023 Parent Information Evening and of course Reports.
Recently at our whole school assembly I suggested to our students that to grow in character takes practice. Our school values of respect, integrity, spirituality, and excellence become part of our everyday life through practice. I suggested three areas in which they could practice these values: daily making their bed and therefore keeping their room tidy, wearing their school uniform well with neat tidy hair and polished shoes, and being kind to themselves and others. I hope that as we create learning experiences for our students that they embrace the opportunity to practice these skills. Our students may see this as a trial however we know that as they persevere, they will grow in character, becoming mature and complete, not lacking in anything.
May I wish you all the best for the remainder of this term.