NEWSLETTER

Hello,

As we come to an end of another school year it brings mixed emotions for me as I am sure it does for many of you. Over the past week I have been to several Graduations and end of year celebrations. I always find it hard to say “seeya later” to our senior students. In my role you get to share in some very raw, vulnerable personal journeys with families and children and having to let them go is sometimes difficult. Especially when I know that the next part of their journey will bring many more challenges and I won’t be there as a safe place for some of them. This week I came across a Bluey Episode “The Creek”. If you have never watched it, I suggest that you do because it is very relevant for our young people at this time of year. Here’s the link: https://www.bluey.tv/watch/season-1/the-creek/

Well, if you don’t watch it, let me tell you about it. The story begins with Bluey and his two friends in the playground bored with all the equipment. Then they decide to head to the creek for some fun. Bluey isn’t so sure; he hesitates but ends up getting dragged there anyway. Along the way they encounter a number of obstacles and creatures that they have never seen before. Bluey has a few doubts along the way and tries to head back to the playground. But his sense of adventure and willingness to explore got the better of him and he made it to the creek. He and his friends had a great time learning new skills, testing their boundaries, showing courage. They needed resilience to be able to overcome their fears and test their limits.

This reminded me of what it is like for our young people as they branch out into our wider world. Their Primary School and what they know now is like the playground. They can stay where they are, they can get bored with the mundane equipment that they outgrow, they can repeatedly do the same thing day in and day out. Just as Bluey and his friends went towards the creek, they took risks and found that they had abilities that they hadn’t known existed in them.  We too need to try new things, this is where our personal growth happens when enter different communities, learn new subjects, visit new places or make new friends. Yes, we will have doubts, feel a little uncertain about what’s ahead, maybe we even turn back and head in a different direction. Once we get the hang of our new surrounds, we gain confidence, we grow courage and we extend ourselves and discover talents and abilities that we didn’t know existed, we even enjoy it and make the most of every opportunity. For our young people as they begin their teenage journey this will be an exciting time, it may be daunting, but it will be extremely rewarding. Parents and carers ride the journey with your children and be their safe place, encourage and support them along the way, but let them take the journey for themselves it will be more worthwhile for them to do the exploring with you alongside them.

I was able to attend the 2 Nuriootpa High transition days last week with our year 6’s. I am super proud of this team. I watched how they supported one another, respected those around them, they began to dip their toes into the new unknown and all the while having a load of fun. They are all on this journey together and they will be there for each other as well. Yes, there will be challenges, but this team have strategies and skills in their tool kits that they need to head on this adventure, I know they have got this 😉

This is also the time of year where we farewell families and students. For those of you who are leaving our community, I wish you well. Some of you have spent many an hour (some years) volunteering and serving our school. Thank you for all that you have done to make our school great and for building it up for future generations. May your new endeavours bring lots of open doors and new opportunities, all the best to all of you.  It is not goodbye, but see you soon!

As we close off another year, I just want to say thank you again for giving me the honour to walk alongside your children as they grow.

I pray you all have a safe and blessed Christmas with your family and friends. Enjoy the holidays.

See you next year to do it all again!

Cheers Jo