From the Principal
Throughout my educational career I have loved teaching English, especially poetry. Not only were both of my parents English teachers, but my mother and sister are both published poets and my brother is a university professor who specialises in Irish poetry. So, it is safe to say poetry is my family’s blood.
Therefore, I am sure it is not surprising to hear that I loved attending the Junior School Poetry Recital on Tuesday afternoon. It was wonderful to hear representatives from each class, and a number of teachers, expertly recite their poems (not an easy feat), and I was particularly impressed by those students and teachers who wrote their own poems and recited these for the audience. A special congratulations to Ms Longworth!
I believe poetry creates the space for us to dive deeply between the lines and the words so that we can discover our own thoughts, feelings and meanings. However, it is not just poetry, but all the other many and varied creative pursuits that Redlands offers which allow students to open their hearts, minds and souls in new and often passionate ways.
Earlier in the year, my son returned from a semester abroad travelling overseas. He was sharing with me one of the highlights from his trip, standing on the Kerry Cliffs in Ireland watching the Atlantic Ocean crashing on the spectacular coast below. In trying to describe the experience to me he reflected, “Dad, unfortunately words or a picture can’t properly capture the moment. But it was then that I realised why poets write poetry.”
That’s the best definition of poetry I have heard and why I love it, too.
Today I will be attending the Prep and Senior Dance Academy End of Year Performances. These performances are the culmination of a year’s worth of training and rehearsals, and I can’t wait to see our dancers shine on the stage. (I heard the Junior Performance last night was outstanding!)
I also want to recognise our Head of Redlands Dance Academy, Gilly Revie, not only for her leadership of the Dance Academy this year, but also on her role of “Queen” in the Australian Ballet’s Swan Lake for their upcoming Sydney season. Congratulations, Gilly.
Mr Sean Corcoran
Photo Caption: Well done to all students and teachers who participated in the Junior School Poetry Recital on Tuesday afternoon.