Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

I find it difficult to describe the absolute delight that I feel about having the students back at school. Each morning I stop on my way to school for a coffee, a small daily indulgence! On Tuesday morning the coffee man said, ‘You are much happier now the kids are back!’ I got back into my car and started to think he is so right! It has been wonderful to be with them face to face, to see all their personalities and to hear their ‘learning from home’ experiences.

As we return to school we are experiencing what is being termed the ‘new normal’. There is much to take away from the school and education experiences we have had over the past months and what we will continue to have in our homes as restrictions start to ease and society begins to get used to a new way of being. 

On Monday, I spoke to all our children in their classes to gain some insight from the children as to what they considered as positive and what they found challenged them learning from home. One common theme that came out for many children was being at home and having more time with ‘mum and dad’ or ‘with my family’. This highlighted the importance that children place on the security of parental support and love. It also highlighted the need for us as adults to be fully present in the moment.

Being overwhelmed, as many of us have been, by what has gone on and what we continue to see and hear in the media, is common. We begin to worry about the future - about what has been lost or what we may lose. It’s so important to come back to the present moment. I can’t control tomorrow until it comes, so I need to be present to today.

Eckhart Tolle, a spiritual teacher and author, says that when we experience adversity in our lives it becomes more important to be in the present moment. When we suffer we need to move our attention to what is happening now - to the present - and the situation is not unbearable. He goes on to say that it’s okay and we can accept this moment as it is. He guides us to go even deeper and look at all we are grateful for.

My gratitude goes to you, our parents. Your support over the course of learning from home has been extraordinary. The teachers certainly worked incredibly hard to get the learning to you but you carried it through. You coped with this whilst also running a household, working from home or working at work. You gave all that you could to your children throughout this time in a way that you haven’t had to before and for that I am truly grateful.

It is known in educational research that the one of the greatest impacts on student learning is the partnership between school and home. Neither of us could have worked without the other - our partnership was nourished and our trust in each other strengthened. Together, this demonstrated respect for our role as educators and yours as parents as well as a positive and hope-filled attitude that is evident in the children as they came back to school.

I read this poem and thought of you…

A Poem For Our Families

You stepped in when times were tough,

When things were uncertain and very rough. 

When we couldn’t have our classes with us, 

You connected them from home without a fuss. 

You supported your children to learn and grow,

Sometimes it was hard, this we know.

We loved working hand in hand,

To help your child understand.

Now it’s time to return to school,

We have missed seeing their smiling faces, 

And hearing learning happening in our classroom spaces.

Although, it is our turn again,

We don’t want the collaboration to end.

We know working with you is the best,

Now we are tagging in, it’s your time to rest.

Thank you, families, for all you’ve done.

You really are number one!

(Kylie Youkhana)

With thanks and gratitude as we journey, together, with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal