Dear Parents and Caregivers

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”

Maya Angelou

In recent times, we have all had to make a monumental shift in how we go about our everyday lives, and I hope for all our families that there have been benefits as well as challenges. The chance to have time together as a family, be creative and innovative, have fun, celebrate Easter in a special, unique way, and the opportunity to take the time to stop, breathe and be grateful for what we do have, rather than focus on what we have lost.

As teachers have begun teaching on line and engaging with students in a myriad of different ways, we too have had to recalibrate our teaching practice, adapt the outcomes for lessons, reframe what we want to achieve. Talking to staff, and from my own experience, I know the aspect we are finding the hardest to adapt to is the loss of easily connecting with others. We are a social bunch, those of us who work in a school, we enjoy talking to each other, sharing practices, working with the vibrant, positive, enthusiastic girls in our classes, basking in the noise and laughter and movement and busyness that swirls around us and that is a school – and we miss that.

That is why we will endeavor to keep as many of our connections going as we can – such as this newsletter. It will look different, there will not be the sport and cultural activities, student achievements and school events to report on and share, however we will continue to connect with you as best we can, sharing what is happening, the good news, our planning and our resources.

The St Hilda’s Virtual School site, is the depository of information on wellbeing, strategies for taking care of yourself and your family, updates on curriculum, student driven activities and resources and information from Dr Townsley, our Chaplain. We are using this site as our chapel, assembly, common meeting place, until we are able to do so physically and safely again.

The strength of our connections and our community remain the key components that make this school such a wonderful place to be, and we do not want to lose any of that.

“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”

De Brene Brown

Jackie Barron