By Sue Grotherr, Head of Secondary school
We are nearing the end of the school year—a year unlike any other in so many ways. When we gathered on the Concourse for our Founders’ Day Service in January, none of us had any inkling of what lay ahead.
COVID changed our world. We learnt to ‘pivot’ and to ‘Zoom’ as we were continually told we were living in ‘unprecedented times’. Students and teachers became separated by digital walls and had to learn new ways to connect. The rhythms of school life were disrupted as events were cancelled or radically altered.
Yet through it all, we were blessed. The Year 12 formal which was in doubt, went ahead; Year 11 students celebrated at their semi-formal and the Interhouse Athletics Carnival morphed into a festive day of fun and friendly competition.
Best of all, the traditional end-of-year ceremonies which at the height of the pandemic seemed to have no chance of happening, occurred last week, albeit under COVID constraints. Families and invited guests joined the college community at our Secondary Presentation Night to acknowledge the academic, sporting and musical accomplishments of our students and to honour those students who served the College community this year.
Presentation Night was followed by the Year 12 Valedictory Service the next morning. Joy was tinged with sadness as the inevitable fond farewells were said and our Year 12s realised that high school had truly finished for them. After the ceremony, graduating students took their final walk around the school weaving their way through the guard of honour. Students from Prep to Year 11 lined the verandas and the Concourse, cheering, waving flags and holding up photos of the graduating students.
This year with its challenges and disruptions is drawing to a close but the impact of COVID will travel with us as we enter into a new year. People have suffered unemployment, loss of income, uncertainty and fear. The increase in those struggling with mental health issues is testament to this.
However, we have also come to appreciate the importance of family and the value of community. As we gather round the festive table to celebrate with our own families we give thanks for all that we have.
May you have a joyous and peaceful Christmas and holidays filled with laughter and happiness.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
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