From the Principal

Last weekend I took the opportunity to see A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood a movie that features Tom Hanks playing Fred Rogers, an American Minister and children’s television show host. I was living in the US when my children were small, so they grew up watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and I must admit to moments of nostalgia as I watched it!   Although I have heard mixed reviews about the movie, I must say that I would see it again in a heartbeat, not just because of the connection to my children’s early years, but because it reminded me of Fred Rogers’ commitment to giving children a voice and discussing issues and emotions with small children in a calm, respectful manner. In particular, I have reflected on the following quote:

‘I don’t think anyone can grow unless he’s loved exactly as he is now, appreciated for what he is rather than what he will be. As human beings, our job in life is to help people realise how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has – or ever will have – something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression. Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people.’

As parents, carers, teachers and school staff, we are the ones to whom our children look, to know that they are okay ‘just the way that they are’; that regardless of what they achieve in the classroom, the sporting field or in life, they are loved and valued.  My challenge to myself, and one you might like to consider, is to ensure the girls know they are appreciated, loved and valued for who they are right now, even when our conversations focus on the future. For that will give them the ‘very best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people.’

Contacting Staff

As the School year gets underway, there will be times when parents and carers need to contact staff with a request for information or to express a concern. In general, the class (Junior School) teacher or subject (Senior School) teacher is the first point of contact to discuss subject-specific matters. Junior School class teachers can also assist with pastoral matters and Deputy Head of Junior School – Student Life is available for additional support. In the Senior School, Luminaries and Heads of Year are available to discuss pastoral matters. The first point of contact for co-curricular matters should be the staff member in charge, with the Director of Music, Head of Sport and Director of Co-curricular Programs all available when needed. Contact details for each of these people can be found in your daughter’s School diary.

Please keep in mind that school staff are rarely at their desks and do not check emails while teaching. For this reason, you may not get an immediate response but generally, staff will acknowledge your message within 24 hours and follow up as quickly as possible.

It is expected that all communication between parents and staff will be respectful and focus on the issue of concern rather than accusation or blame. There is not one staff member at our School who seeks to do anything but the best by the girls in their care. However, sometimes things do go wrong or there is a miscommunication and, where this has happened, we are committed to working in partnership with parents to resolve the matter.

There will also be times where some girls miss out on being selected for a team or an award. This can be difficult for the girl, but such disappointments are an important part of developing resilience. Decisions by staff are informed by a wider context than parents may have information to be able to consider. While parents are welcome to contact staff to gain feedback on how their daughter might improve in the future, it is not appropriate to question the professional judgement of staff, nor to demand a particular outcome. I ask parents to ensure that all communication with staff on any matters is respectful.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal