The return of students back onto campus this week has been nothing short of tremendous. Whilst of course there has been some anxiety, and we still have a number of families in quarantine, the very vast majority of students seem calm, happy and grateful to be present to each other and their teachers again. The key aim in our community for the coming weeks is to rebuild our routines and reconnect our relationships as quickly as possible. Our Marist value of ‘presence’ has never felt more precious.
To each of you, let me once again acknowledge and thank you for your ongoing support of our staff. Like for so many of you, their workplace has adjusted dramatically and as we’ve said a number of times, while it hasn’t all been perfect, it has been a galvanising period of growth for our staff. I have heard many of them speak of the way they have felt your care of them, and I have seen the many, many emails of thanks that you have sent. Please know that this appreciation has not been taken for granted, and that it has, in so many ways, formed an important part of the bedrock of extraordinary professional growth.
This new ‘COVID-normal’ will take some adjustment. Whilst the Kilmore cluster has impacted a number of our families, so too we now have families in quarantine because they were in Shepparton last week. It seems likely we should all expect these rolling experiences of quarantine to occur at any time, and be prepared.
Over the coming weeks you will begin to hear about the beginnings of the Pavilion project take shape. We expect the builders on site within the next fortnight and the old Pav will be removed in the not too distant future in preparation for the new build. All going well it is possible the Year 12 exams will be held in the new Pav in 2021…fingers crossed, everyone!
Like the joy of the sea coming home to the shore, may the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.
As the wind loves to call things to dance, may your gravity be lightened by grace.
Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth, may your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.
As the water takes whatever shape it is in, so free may you be about who you become.
As silence smiles on the other side of what’s said, may your sense of irony bring perspective.
As time remains free of all that it frames, may your mind stay clear of all it names.
May your prayer of listening deepen enough to hear in the depths the laughter of God.
Amen.
