Board Chair’s Message

Board Chair

Sr Helen Mary Peters

Life takes some astonishing turns when we least expect it, and our usual routinely travelled path becomes somewhat bumpy.  2020 has certainly provided us, in full measure, with one of those astonishing turns. Much has been taken from us in these past weeks –our freedom of movement, our interaction with family and friends, our peace of mind, our security of income, for some, health and well-being and so much more.  Our students and staff  have missed many of those special moments that mark the commencement of a new  academic year.  So what are we to do in such a circumstance?  Despite the stress, the anxiety and the disruption to our lives that COVID-19 has brought, I believe that it also does provide us with the opportunity to slow down, take a deep breath and take stock of the patterns of our lives, the purpose of our endeavours and the challenges for change with which  it confronts us if we are open to its voice.  It also gives life to the possibility of a new creativity to bud forth in the way we approach our life, our work and our leisure.

The life of our College Community has been severely impacted, as has every educational community, and the immediate future is unfolding day by day.  But we can be assured that the College is in safe hands with  our very competent, committed and caring Leadership Team and staff.  I want to acknowledge the love and care that our staff bring to the College community and I particularly  commend the efforts of the Leadership Team to ensure that communication to our families is comprehensive, timely and clear.  The Board of Governance and the College Leadership Team have been working closely together throughout the past weeks and will continue to do so.  In that way we are able to be well prepared for any eventuality that impacts the ongoing development of the College.  We are confident that our College will continue to flourish despite the challenges the situation presents, and perhaps because of those very challenges. 

We are blessed in that technology enables us to continue to fulfil our Board responsibilities and the enforced “respite” provides the opportunity to give some time to review our policies, processes and committee structures and  to look at processes for recruitment for future Board members.  Be assured that the Board will continue to work towards the flourishing of our beautiful College and endeavour to mitigate any negative impact that flows from COVID-19.  Let us hold each other and our families in our hearts and prayers and invite our loving  and compassionate God to journey with us through this complex and difficult time.