Dear Parents & Guardians,

I trust that as we get close to the end of this term your mind is beginning to think about how to keep the family occupied for the next two weeks.  For those who are doing the road trip because there is not much else we can do, it is a wonderful time to see a little of our country whilst at the same time reconnect as a family.

I’m considering returning to the community where I lived and worked in my first principalship, twenty-four years ago. The town is called Coleambally, 600km southwest of Sydney, 80 km southwest of Griffith.  I’m hoping to catch up with some of the families and the school secretary from all those years ago. It will be a time where we can share stories from the past, laugh again at the funny moments, which were many and feel a part of the community once more, even if for only a few days.  

One story I'm sure will come up is the time I went to turn off the water main due to some plumbing issues.  The main handle was down a piece of plastic plumbing pipe.  As I went to put my hand down the pipe, I noticed a brown snake curled up inside, just in time!  Apparently, some of the students, who are adults today with their own families farming rice and wheat in the area, still laugh about how they had never seen their principal run so fast and he never turned that tap off again after that experience!

You are probably wondering why I am sharing this with you? It is because I remember, having my eighteen month old son at the time (he’s twenty-five now), along with my wife, us all away from our family support network so that I could find out if the role of principal was my professional calling. The community, as a caring, supporting community, wrapped themselves around my family and were grateful that we came. This built deep seated connections that are still there today. 

We try to be that country school in many ways here at St Paul’s for your children.  Our school has a strong sense of belonging which I feel has assisted those children during such trying times to cope with the many challenges and obvious changes that have impacted on how we "do” school in 2020! The sense of welcoming you show each other, even outside the school gate, has gone such a long way to keeping a positive spirit alive within our community.  I have seen this more so than ever during term three, a bonding of students where they have experienced an affinity for St Paul’s as a place where they are recognised as people and feel linked to others.  This bonding offers support and affirmation for each child in the school community.  The children, now more than ever, know their presence in the school community is significant to the group and they are contributing directly to making our school a happy place.

Whilst that has been my observations and experience at the gate in the morning and afternoon, I am also mindful of those who feel disconnected and we haven’t, through our efforts, been able to reach out to.  Who is there for those children and parents?  I pray that someone sees them and offers a hand of friendship and welcome,  as for some, they just need to be invited.

I wonder if in twenty-four years time, will our current students catch up with each other to celebrate this bond again, at a time that was like no other. I wonder what their stories will be? I hope I haven’t contributed in the same hilarious way to their conversations. Come to think of it, if I make them laugh as they tell their stories, I will laugh with them.

Enjoy the holidays, especially those who have an exciting road trip planned!

Go gently,     

Michael Reardon
Principal