Family – you can’t live with them but you certainly cannot live without them
This year more than ever the importance of family has been brought home.
You will recall scenes of adult children not being able to enter nursing homes and scenes of quarantine separating families.
Families, as we all know, come in many shapes and sizes and often includes people who may not be technically related to us, but who are connected by something more significant – related by friendship and love.
Angela Merici was a great advocate for the family, seeing it as the place where faith was nurtured and love shared. She knew the power and importance of family and associated it with good order within society. Perhaps that is another reason too why Angela Merici encouraged her company of women to live within their families and their broader communities – to never forget the connections that gave them a sense of who they were and where they belonged.
In our Gospel this weekend, we hear again Mary’s beautiful and humble “Yes” to be the mother of Jesus – to be a family.
I should be able to say that because it has been a COVID-19 year, things have been quieter than usual at this end of the year however nothing could be further from the truth.
We really wanted our girls to have the opportunity to go on camp and COVID-19 pushed our dates further and further into the backend of the year. We were not perturbed. Both Year 9 and Year 7 were able to enjoy their camp in these last weeks. My thanks to all of the staff who were generous in giving up their family time to be with their other family – your daughters.
We also celebrated our Awards ceremony where we acknowledged not only academic excellence but also sporting and cultural pursuits. We also showed our gratitude for our students’ generosity in community service. I am always humbled by the number of students who despite COVID-19 were able to achieve over 60 hours of service to the community. Our girls have big hearts and live out the Serviam way. The Awards ceremony was also a time for me to reflect on the importance of individual improvement and how in the future we would be able to recognise girls for their improvement in their learning.
I say thank you to my Religious Education Coordinator, Mrs Julie Monk, for the beautiful Advent Liturgy with which our girls ended their year.
I would also like to thank all of our community – staff, students and parents – our St Ursula’s family – for being so big-hearted as to give to other families through our Vinnies appeal. Your generosity never ceases to amaze me and I know that you have given many other families hope and joy.
Thank you to the Parents and Friends Association who coordinated a beautiful gift for each member of staff, your thoughtfulness speaks volumes to each teacher and support staff of your appreciation of them and their work with your daughters.
As with any family too, sometimes some have to “leave the nest” so to speak in order to continue their professional growth. To those staff who will not be returning to us next year, we wish you every blessing and thank you for the contribution you have made to this family.
To each of you, who are part of the extended St Ursula’s family:
May this Christmas be a time for us all to treasure our family, knowing that like Jesus was gifted to Mary, our family has been gifted to us and we to them.
Wishing you all a most blessed Christmas and a joyful New Year.
Thank you for your great support and challenge of me personally and professionally.
Take care and keep well!
