I trust these past three weeks have given you all time to reset and prepare for all that Term 3 will ask of us all. I do hope though, that the change of pace we have come to appreciate in our families, has allowed you to notice so much more in the world of the northern beaches. We are so very fortunate. Whilst the challenges of social distancing and focused attention on hygiene practices remain, some lightening of procedures, as shared with you on Skoolbag from Mr Walmsley last Friday, are now in place. Please adhere to these in every way; for none of us wishes to return to Remote Learning, despite it working so well for the majority of our students. We must follow the government and Chief Health Officer’s regulations and guidelines, precisely.
There are key events for the graduating Class of 2020 scheduled for the end of this term however what, and how, these will be undertaken, will be at the behest of the government and external providers. We will do all we can to ensure that strong and happy memories are a part of these final few weeks for our HSC cohort.
As I reflected on our students through the holiday Recess, I thought of their care of others and of the natural world. They have shown courage and compassion in stepping out of their comfort zone to tackle all that 2020 has required and I am confident that in the future, these learnings will show they have made their School, communities and their world, a better place. For the VUCA environment (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) that is now (and is being used by leaders worldwide to unpack these four challenges for mankind in such changing times), provides enormous challenge as our young people require skills that will allow them to cope in our ever-changing world. This too is our challenge, as educators. Facing a new term, we want our young people to not only gain knowledge, but to develop the skills that come from applying emotional and social intelligence to problem solve situations as they navigate the 21st century.
This year we have attempted to navigate what seems complete madness: catastrophic bushfires, droughts, dust storms, floods and now a pestilence that has become a global pandemic. As an adult, I have been challenged by this year; I am sure that our students continue to ponder how we should make sense of these events. This is but one element of our programs; to provide continuity and reassurance amidst such drama. For VUCA is sustained by fear.
FOMO (fear of missing out) is a constant for many, as is fear of failure, or not quite measuring up. Fear has been an ever present through the vulnerabilities brought on by the change, loneliness and extremism seen this year. What we need to do is support our students with the opportunities that these times provide. They have choices. We have choices, in how we respond. For whilst these events of 2020 can be seen through the lens of fear, if not acknowledged and tackled head on, fear and anxiety can become paralysing; that is why persisting in the face to fear and carrying on and becoming courageous as a consequence, must be our raison d’etre.
As the American author, political activist and lecturer, Helen Keller, who was born deaf and blind, remarked, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
May this be a term of great achievement for you all. A term where courage is shown and where fear is explored, and creativity borne of fear, ensures.
