I read an article recently about ‘Concierge parents'. (Baker, J (2019, 24 Mar), " 'Profoundly dangerous': A generation at risk from 'concierge parents' ". The Sydney Morning Herald). Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au

This is a term used to describe parents who rush to rescue their children from the everyday challenges and minor failures such as a grievance with a friend, an approach from a teacher or a consequence for an inappropriate action. This is a growing phenomenon in schools where parents will  sort out any problem so that their child will not be confronted with set back, disappointment or challenge. They are sometimes known as the ‘snow plough’ parents who smooth the way for their children. In the article, several principals shared their experiences and confirmed the number of this type of parent is on the rise. St Patrick's is not without its own 'Concierge parents'. Parents who send emails threatening legal action before speaking with the College about their daughter’s involvement in an incident/situation. Parents who blame themselves for the submission of late permission notes because they were busy. Parents who cover for their daughter's unexplained absence so she doesn’t have to face the consequence of truanting.

Parenting is a far harder job now than it was twenty or thirty years ago. When children are born, they don’t come with a guide book. As parents, we all manage our way with the best of intentions and a few skills we have picked up through reading or watching others parent. Tough love is the commodity that ‘concierge parents’ could use a little more of. It allows children to face consequences, experience disappointment and failure and develop responsibility and maturity.   Through a little tough love, they learn to think before they act and that they and their needs are not at the centre of the universe. This is how we build resilience in our children.

This week we celebrated NAIDOC. The students in Year 11, with the help of other Aboriginal students, delivered an assembly which was both informative and entertaining. We began with a smoking ceremony led by Uncle Ivan and then a number of film clips, didgeridoo playing by the John Therry boys, dancing and presentations filled the assembly. Prior to the assembly Elders and special guests were treated to a lovely lunch of bush tucker prepared by the Hospitality class and Ms Matti. It was a wonderful celebration of Aboriginal culture and the giftedness of our own Aboriginal students at the College. It was very pleasing to see them as proud and capable young Aboriginal women sharing their culture with the rest of their community. I am very grateful for the work of the girls, the many teachers who provided them support and the elders who continue to follow our community with care and genuine interest.

On the following day we sadly learned that Aunty Muriel passed away during the night. She had been unwell and wasn’t able to attend our NAIDOC assembly, but she has been a long and strong supporter of the College and the girls. It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge her passing. She has been a very generous Elder in the community and much loved by all who knew her. We pray for her family who will be mourning her loss and the Campbelltown community who will be grieving her absence. May the light of God be upon her and may she rest in peace now with the Almighty.

Mrs Tanginoa has resigned from the College after four years of service. She has indicated a desire to pursue other interests and opportunities. We are grateful for the support Ms Tanginoa has provided the Aboriginal girls at the College and the wisdom she has shared with our community on Aboriginal culture and heritage. We wish her well in her future endeavours.

As we approach the mid-year break, I hope you find some time and space to breathe in the beauty of your environment and your life. I will leave you with a reflection on ‘Listening to the spaces’ by Noel Davis.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal 

Spaces have their own lives.
Let them speak.
Listen to them with your eyes
in the quiet of your mind.
Give them the time they need
to tell their stories
for they are the nurseries of life
the fields of strength ready for harvesting
the cultivators of our bigger minds.
We crowd them out to stifle our fears
to douse the pain refining our humanity.

Let them be.

Wonder in their beauty
like the unseen air we breathe
the wind now still.
They hold the silence vibrant with life.
Listen to their stories
and let them take you
deep into the heartland of the real
and there gift you with new sight.