Dear Parents/Carers,

As we move towards fete day I am beginning to observe relationships being created based on getting things done, convincing others to be involved, excited about the potential fun that the day could bring, frustration when problems arise and how to work through them and one common thread, we want the kids to experience real community through the St Paul’s Fete.  In the leadership world that I navigate, it is called the social/emotional dimension of leadership.  As parents and adults we are constantly modelling this to the children in our care.  Obviously linked to this is that we, as adults, have “banked” considerable experience that helps us to navigate challenges in most cases, our children still need to be formed through our parenting, the teachers and their peers to develop this valuable skill.

Adults naturally tend to be more self aware and this is something that I try to teach the children on the playground, and Year 6 through my work with them, as frequently as possible. As we build our community, the one thing that is certain is that we cannot shrink away from people as the real work happens in the “experiencing” of others.  If the relationships are right, our ability to cope and look at things differently when confronted with challenges as we move towards fete day will happen naturally.  A famous researcher in the educational world, Thomas Sergiovanni, calls such sacred relationships “covenantal” in nature. A covenant is an unwritten contract built on the sacred relationships between individuals and groups that are founded on moral purpose, which is the glue that binds people together in community. Creating such relationships between members of our community is the heartbeat that keeps everything pumping as the ebb and flow of people coming together to create their fete stalls contribute to making the fete a great success, which includes the lead up to it. This builds positivity and excitement right through the whole school community.

Self awareness is so critical in building the covenantal relationships. There are aspects of our personalities that come naturally, whilst we need to learn other aspects. For example, I know my leadership is formed most naturally through the “head”, for others it may be the “heart”. Some individuals are great at creating “new ideas”, whilst others have the ability to map a way forward for the growth of the “new idea”. One is not better or worse than the other, all are needed. There are all types in our school and we have parents or staff, if given the opportunity, to be the right person to provide the appropriate action during the lead up to the fete, on fete day and after the fete. This is our school community and through the fete we are modelling this to our children. Please know that this has not gone unnoticed and is another indicator that makes me so proud of our school community.

All the above happened just before I started to draft this newsletter. It started at assembly when I gave a personal display of my “tattoo work” that will be provided on fete day from the tattoo stall.  Before I knew it, Mrs Fielding was there wanting to take some photos as I was proudly displaying my efforts, much to the joy of the children.  Goodness knows where the photos will end up! Then I let the children know that there is a “turf war” between our tattoo stall and the The Little Piglets Stall that has soft toys.  I stressed that I believe that the tattoo stall will still be the best on the day.  This little competition will continue right up to fete day to keep the children excited. I then went from the assembly into the staffroom where parents were working with Mrs Martin to pack into the cretes the fete stall holder supplies that were generously donated by our school community to be used on fete day. This was all happening with a minimum of fuss, lots of laughter with the head, heart, doers and planners all there using what comes naturally to them to get the job done.

Thank you to all involved,  expressed through action the giftedness of members of our community and the power of the Spirit working through group endeavours. Enhancing good relationships among members is the end product of a fantastic morning.

Go gently,

Michael Reardon

Principal

Principal Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have recently received a Principal Award. Edwin Costelloe, Oliver Ioannou, Amalia Accoto, Angelina Cilia, Dean Georgievski, Caleb McInnes.