Dear Parents,

Today as part of the Principal’s message I have included the presentation I made at the Annual Awards ceremony for those who were not permitted to be there. The Awards celebrated all that we achieved this year and how we emerged from the COVID plagued year stronger as a community. I have also attached the Year 10 speech in recognition of the fabulous young adults who we farewelled with Mass at midday. Next week I will conclude the year with a closing comment so stay tuned for that. Remember if you did not receive access to your reports please make contact with the school.

Principal’s address:

Re-reading many of the different speeches I have made over many years they contain a similar thread in that they are optimistic, promising bright futures and a happy life if you worked hard. While I still believe most fervently in that promise and the potential of a blissful life I recognize that in this new COVID climate that we are indeed constantly challenged to make the best of difficult situations. I need to add to all the kindness messages and the cheerful optimism that I espouse that our students now also need to have a bold resilience to forge ahead and meet the challenges that this life will invariably throw at them.

Our Year 10 students are well placed to recognise that things don’t always work out as you planned and that despite all the obstacles and restrictions placed upon you that you do have to keep going, that you do need to accept the challenges and that there is no point in complaining. Resilience is accepting that bad things happen and, that some of the times, it is really out of your control. Life isn’t fair and some get far more than others to weather, but if you can accept that, then it is more manageable to move forward. Our Year 10s know that no matter how much you may want something or deserve it or everyone else before you has had it, it doesn’t make it happen. This group were told so many times over the past two years, no you can’t do that, no sorry we have to cancel, no sorry it is our of our control but it was so wonderful to see that this group recognised that you can still be happy, still make memories and still make the moments matter. This is a fundamental life lesson. As parents we only want the very best for our kids, for them to be happy, to be successful, to be well and safe and to be good people. But it is most of the time out of our hands. Life throws things at them that we don’t expect or want. We see them face challenges that we would rather they didn’t and we watch them make their own mistakes and it is heartbreaking to watch them be sad. But as teachers we are blessed with the opportunity to build in them the skills, resilience and attitude that will help them survive, thrive and be happy in situations that test them. Our Year 10s have had no better mentor than Mrs Kylie Murray. They have been blessed to have been in her passionate and genuine care. Just like any parent Kylie wants for these students to know that they can do it all but that it will take commitment, an honest effort and a determination to keep going.

I know as Year 10  sit there and bask in the realization that today they have achieved an important milestone, you might not acknowledge that today is not just about you. It is also about the people who made it possible for you to get here. Your parents, your family, your friends and your teachers. The wisdom of age and experience is not to be negated. We know you have to make your own mistakes, and believe me you will make them, and you do have to navigate life by yourself but never underestimate that people care and want to help and share the journey. Your parents have made sacrifices and decisions to allow you every opportunity to be successful – you might not always have taken those opportunities but know that everyone of your parents loves you unconditionally and only want the best for you.

I have lost count of the number of students who have come and gone now but I am privileged to have been in their lives. I want happiness for them. But as Eddie Jaku said – you have to choose happiness. Being a good person, a kind person, a genuine person is far more important than the number of A’s you get on your report, or more important than the car you drive, the job you have, the clothes you wear or the places you go. It is not about the school you go to or the likes you get on social media. It is about being a kind person who chooses to be happy and makes the world a better place. Remember the defining comment that once a Sacred Heart kid you will always, always be  a Sacred Heart kid and that if you have to choose between being extraordinary and kind be extraordinarily kind.

Year 10 Address:

Rereading many of the different speeches I have made over many years they contain a similar thread in that they are optimistic, promising bright futures and a happy life if you worked hard. While I still believe most fervently in that promise and the potential of a blissful life I recognize that in this new COVID climate that we are indeed constantly challenged to make the best of difficult situations. I need to add to all the kindness messages and the cheerful optimism that I espouse that our students now also need to have a bold resilience to forge ahead and meet the challenges that this life will invariably throw at them.

 Our Year 10 students are well placed to recognise that things don’t always work out as you planned and that despite all the obstacles and restrictions placed upon you that you do have to keep going, that you do need to accept the challenges and that there is no point in complaining. Resilience is accepting that bad things happen and, that some of the times, it is really out of your control. Life isn’t fair and some get far more than others to weather, but if you can accept that, then it is more manageable to move forward. Our Year 10s know that no matter how much you may want something or deserve it or everyone else before you has had it, it doesn’t make it happen. This group were told so many times over the past two years, no you can’t do that, no sorry we have to cancel, no sorry it is our of our control but it was so wonderful to see that this group recognised that you can still be happy, still make memories and still make the moments matter. This is a fundamental life lesson. As parents we only want the very best for our kids, for them to be happy, to be successful, to be well and safe and to be good people. But it is most of the time out of our hands. Life throws things at them that we don’t expect or want. We see them face challenges that we would rather they didn’t and we watch them make their own mistakes and it is heartbreaking to watch them be sad. But as teachers we are blessed with the opportunity to build in them the skills, resilience and attitude that will help them survive, thrive and be happy in situations that test them. Our Year 10s have had no better mentor than Mrs Kylie Murray. They have been blessed to have been in her passionate and genuine care. Just like any parent Kylie wants for these students to know that they can do it all but that it will take commitment, an honest effort and a determination to keep going.

I know as Year 10  sit there and bask in the realization that today they have achieved an important milestone, you might not acknowledge that today is not just about you. It is also about the people who made it possible for you to get here. Your parents, your family, your friends and your teachers. The wisdom of age and experience is not to be negated. We know you have to make your own mistakes, and believe me you will make them, and you do have to navigate life by yourself but never underestimate that people care and want to help and share the journey. Your parents have made sacrifices and decisions to allow you every opportunity to be successful – you might not always have taken those opportunities but know that everyone of your parents loves you unconditionally and only want the best for you.

I have lost count of the number of students who have come and gone now but I am privileged to have been in their lives. I want happiness for them. But as Eddie Jaku said – you have to choose happiness. Being a good person, a kind person, a genuine person is far more important than the number of A’s you get on your report, or more important than the car you drive, the job you have, the clothes you wear or the places you go. It is not about the school you go to or the likes you get on social media. It is about being a kind person who chooses to be happy and makes the world a better place. Remember the defining comment that once a Sacred Heart kid you will always, always be  a Sacred Heart kid and that if you have to choose between being extraordinary and kind be extraordinarily kind.

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal