Looking back over this year, the term 'overcoming challenges' stood out for us.

We realised that there are two main aspects when it comes to overcoming a challenge. We all know one of them is seeking and creating a solution, for example, how we managed lockdown by setting up online learning. However, the second aspect of overcoming a challenge is not always as obvious - in order to come out strong in the face of things that are difficult, you have to be willing to develop your skills as an individual.

We don't always consciously think about that second element, but it is essential.  If you are coming out of 2020 feeling as though you developed things like independence, time management or the ability to deal with frustrating plot twists, it is because you did that second aspect. You were willing to push yourself and to grow, even if it was hard.

At our first Executive committee meeting in 2019 we had to write down our biggest weakness, our comments would be the big foreshadow moment - 'I'm not good at coping when plans change suddenly.'  If you thought that was ironic considering the year, here is another comment written back then - 'Work on dealing with stress better, and to not isolate myself when the stress gets tricky."  Well Covid really played the uno reverse card.

We think the thing to emphasise about developing your skills and weaknesses in the face of challenges, is that it is a conscious choice.  We could have said "well I hate plans changing and I hate feeling isolated so we are resigning as head students, we are going to live in a humble cottage, in the Murchison mountains with the takahē," but we didn't. Instead we decided to use the year as a way to develop communication skills and to seek discomfort so that we could grow as a person.  If you've got stronger or more capable, despite the harder elements this year, its because you also made those kind of choices.  That is not to say you were perfect and made no mistakes.  It just means that you weren't afraid to tackle stuff that felt scary.  

Gandhi once said "Strength does not come from winning.  Your struggles develop your strengths.  When you go through hardships and decided not to surrender, THAT is strength."

Ngā mihi, aroha nui.