During the week, we inducted our new College leaders. They follow an outstanding team led by Tavara who worked against the difficulties of COVID and lockdowns to bring a service to the community that was authentic and sincere. We acknowledged and thanked them and, with that, welcomed the new team encouraging and urging them to bring their own strengths and talents to their position. I am confident they will do a fabulous job. 

Leadership is a difficult mantle to wear at times. We see in our broader community people who hold a public position often targeted, vilified or slandered. They are fair game. Is it that we are coming out of COVID and the tempers are easily aroused and stress levels are exacerbated? In some circumstances, the tolerance threshold of difference is very low. In my role as Principal, I have experienced elements of these behaviours at times, as have our St Pat's staff. Regrettably, there have been times they have had to deal with aggression and threats when they enter a conversation in good faith that there will be mutual respect and thoughtful consideration.

How is it that we have come to this in our society? In my time as Principal of the College, this year has been challenging and confronting in managing the tone and the approach of some people who are unhappy or aggrieved. It is fair and expected that there will be differences and disagreement in all communities around how things are managed or policies that are in place. In our community, that models Benedictine values, we try to always interact with each other with mutual respect and appreciation. We firmly believe these interactions are opportunities for our growth and improvement. We are not always going to agree. But, we can disagree respectfully and still hold the dignity of the person we disagree with intact. It certainly can be difficult at times and we are ever so grateful to those in our community who work with us in making the College a safe place for everyone. We are thankful as a community that the majority of our parents understand the sometimes difficult work that is part of educating young people in 2022 and that they support what we as a College do to provide the girls with the leadership needed in these difficult and uncertain times.

So, as the new leaders take on their roles, I know in this community, they will experience support, kindness, encouragement and guidance from all at the College. We will enliven in them the benefits of service and hopefully kindle a desire to continue to show leadership and courage long after their years at St Patrick's have finished.

We recently had a very positive experience at the Parent Forum on Tuesday evening. Braving the conditions of the very sudden cold snap, parents joined Mrs Wright, Courtney Russell, our psychologist, and myself to discuss Student Wellbeing. It was firstly great to see parents face to face again at our Forum after a long absence and it was affirming to hear the benefit these parents gained from the discussion. If there are any topics you would like covered at a Parent Forum in the future, please send me an email outlining your topic.

Earlier this year, we were invited by Catholic Schools NSW to engage in a COVID Intensive Support Program. The funding is from the Federal Government which enables schools to identify students who may have been disadvantaged by the recent lockdowns due to COVID and offers an intensive program of support to get them up to speed in their literacy. Mrs Benney and Mrs Torpy have been working with Dr Bourne to identify the girls, then train the tutors and implement the program. We have now started the program and it is wonderful knowing the girls will receive an enormous benefit from this opportunity.

You will receive an email shortly inviting you to complete a survey on your perspective of the College. All students, staff, parents and Board directors will have an opportunity to respond. We haven’t participated in this survey, constructed by the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) before but it will provide very rich data on what we do well as a College and what we need to continue to work on. More information about this survey is contained in this edition of the Inside Out. I thank you in anticipation for your completion of this survey.

I will finish this edition with a prayer for courage, wisdom, faith and love. From A Canopy of Stars by Christopher Gleeson.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal

Lord, grant us

Courage to do right
when doing wrong or nothing at all
would be easier.

Wisdom to say the right thing at the right time
because words have the power to help or hurt.

Faith in the goodness of humankind
because living in doubt and fear is not living as you
meant it to be.

And, most important, Love,

The kind that gives without demanding,
supports without holding too tightly,
And understands that we are, all of us, imperfect.