Easter Blessings
The creativity of our students never ceases to amaze me. Whether they are designing, prototyping and testing the integrity of bridges made from spaghetti or timber grandstands, or conducting an experiment to create a volcanic eruption, or creating a piece of art that reflects a deep sense of understanding or writing a story that is filled with curiosity and wonder. It is always a privilege to see the passion and creativity of students and their teachers as they share the learner’s journey.
Over the past few weeks I have been humbled to see and receive some of the work created by our students. Last Friday at TLC Club Night, Jasmine F from Prep M skipped up to me with this gorgeous piece of art declaring, “Mrs Gregory, I made this for you”. After a brief discussion about her artwork, I asked if she was sure it was for me and not mummy or daddy and in her very confident way she said “No, it’s for you”, and happily skipped away.
A few weeks earlier, Mrs Thomas shared this amazing artwork created by Finch P in Year 9. It is entitled, ‘Getting along swimmingly’.
Finch’s piece is one of a number of pieces being submitted for our TLC Art Challenge, where our artists have been asked to express the theme of Everybody, Always through their chosen artform.
What I love about this piece more than anything is that the artist has owned the College theme, allowing their personal narrative to influence the meaning. I am humbled that the sense of difference and belonging are intertwined and that our College is seen as an ecosystem, when at its best, is in balance and harmonious. Like any ecosystem, each element interacts, living and non-living and can either enhance or detract from the ecosystem. This reveals the need for environmental elements to respond or yield to help restore balance and harmony.
We could loosely call our College an ecosystem or a biome or in the case of this beautiful piece of art a POND. And in this pond we need to have all elements interacting harmoniously.
Our pond may look different on any given day; some days there will be Primary students, staff, soccer balls, lockers, Secondary students, the Café, the rubbish bins, laptops, school leaders, all working together in harmony, and other days they may not be. These are the days where those who can see and feel disharmony need to choose to tend to the pond. Maybe by caring a little more for someone, holding a friend to account for doing the wrong thing, picking up the rubbish someone else has dropped, seeking assistance from an adult when you know someone else is being careless or dangerous and saying sorry when you get it wrong whether you are a student or staff member. Being upstanders is part of the character of students we are partnering with to shape. I am grateful everyday that I get to see or hear that a young person has chosen to be courageous (quietly or publicly) to support, encourage or discourage another because they value their school as a place of Belonging.
Thank you, Finch, for this very special piece of Art.
It is wonderful to see the House camaraderie developing this year. We have had House banners made to share our House Spirit Mascots and are displaying the House points on all screens around the College. Throughout the year a variety of House competitions contribute to the points from Prep through to Year 12.
As you and your family head into the Easter Season, I pray that you will take the time to contemplate the gift that Easter is for our Christian Community. It is a season to reflect on the deep love of God witnessed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our humanly conduit to God and our lifeline to everlasting life.
May you experience blessing and peace this Easter Season.
Nicole Gregory
Principal
