From The Principal
Whilst out on my early morning ride today in the magnificent Ku-ring-gai National Park with the sun rising and the full moon setting, I reflected on how very fortunate we are to be living in Australia and how much we have to be thankful for. Growing concerns around the crisis in India sends a strong reminder of the reality of what people are dealing with in other parts of the globe.
I felt inspired to share a passage by Bishop Ken Untener, which I had shared with my Executive team at our fortnightly Executive Committee meeting earlier this week. It is so relevant at present, irrespective of your personal beliefs or faith, and in particular in a school environment where we nurture and grow young people who are our future. We inspire them to do their best, be their best and make a difference, no matter how big or small. I hope that this passage resonates with you as it did with our team:
“It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of
saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
Not statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realising that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference
between master builder and worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.”
Within the School community this week, it was wonderful to be able to welcome Yr 7 Parents and Carers to mix socially on the Fahl Garden and to have the opportunity to meet a number of staff members.
I was pleased to note so many people talking about how involved their child had become in the full life of the School and making the most of new opportunities. A common thread of discussion was the focus on developing new friendships and the importance of feeling connected.
Restrictions on our Performing Arts program have now been removed which means that we can look forward to the Senior Music Festival at The Concourse Chatswood on Friday 28 May. I was so impressed by the exceptional quality of the performances in the Junior Piano Competition held last Friday evening and have no doubt that the Senior Piano Competition this Friday will also be a wonderful event.
We look forward to the first round of Winter Sport commencing this weekend and I know that many of our students are looking forward to representing the School with pride.
So, as we have reached a period during which our full cocurricular program can run, let us stop and give thanks for the many blessings we share and be ever mindful of our global connection to those less fortunate than ourselves.
Mr Stephen Webber
Photo Caption: Yr 6 students enjoyed their camp this week, actively engaged in rich learning experiences in both civics and outdoor education.