From the Principal
Recently I was asked for my opinion on the purpose of education and schooling, and my answer was simple: to help people be able to live worthy lives in a world worth living in.
While this aspiration is grounded in various philosophies, it is also at the heart of our Redlands Vision and Mission, as well as our Motto: Luceat Lux Vestra (Let Your Light Shine) which comes from the Gospel of Matthew, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven”. So, at the heart of our motto is a call to live virtuously so that we can have a positive impact on others and the world around us.
To start this year, I have been reinforcing this message to students by focusing on our School Value of respect. Respect is the starting point for how we should treat each other, and it is the foundation for positive relationships between students, staff and parents. Pleasingly, it is a real strength at Redlands.
However, unfortunately, in the world around us too often we are confronted by examples of disrespect, intolerance and even hatred.
In her book, Bright Shining: How Grace Changes Everything, Julia Baird says the cure to these ills is grace or the ability to respect others and to see the good in them, to recognise their humanity, to embrace difference and to believe that people can grow, can learn and can make a positive change.
The Wiradjuri people of Central NSW have a similar belief encapsulated in their tenet of “Yindyamarra”. As Wiradjuri man Stan Grant explains, “It is not just a word, it is an idea. It is a philosophy. It is a way of living. It is a way of being. Yindyamarra – quietness, kindness, respect. Strength in that quietness. Strength in that kindness. Strength in that respect. What better idea than there is Yindyamarra to speak to the differences between us.”
So, as we encounter challenging situations at school and in life, I hope all of us can let our lights shine, live with grace and embrace the philosophy of Yindyamarra. Doing so will not only allow us to live a worthy life, but it also might help to make the world a better place.
This week I am excited to see us launch our new mobile friendly Feedback and Assessment Tool in Pulse for Secondary School parents which will provide more personable, actionable, timely and transferable feedback throughout the year, giving instant insight into students’ ongoing growth and progress. While currently only available in the Secondary School, we will be exploring how we can apply this approach to Junior School students as well, over the course of the year. I would encourage all parents to read more about this tool in the Secondary School section of Note Day.
I look forward to seeing many families at our Twilight in the Garden tomorrow evening.
Mr Sean Corcoran
Photo caption: Our Day of Growth: individual coaching conversations with Tutors, Deans and Executive, saw students review their individual data from our innovative iGrow Learning Analytics Platform which tracks academic, social and emotional growth.