I am writing to you to outline two important matters: the theme for this year, and the restructure of our Co-ordinations role in the Secondary School.
This year, Mr Gavin Abrahams will be the Coordinator of Years 7 to 9, and Mr Rodney Latham will be the Coordinator of Years 10 to 12. Mrs Mtambara has been appointed as Learning Team Leader for Christian Life Studies.
Mrs Jo Dixon will continue as Coordinator of Years 3–6, and Mrs Kylie Clark as Prep–Year 2.
There are considerable benefits to this structure, including greater continuity for students and parents through their school life. If, as a parent, you have a concern for your child’s welfare or progress, you should follow the communication protocols below.
Questions pertaining to one or two classes should be directed to the classroom or subject teacher.
Concerns regarding a wellbeing matter or a number of subjects should be directed to the homeroom teacher or the Coordinator.
Our theme for this year is framed by the following quote:
There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of them is roots and the other wings.
To “bequeath roots and wings” means children have a strong foundation (roots) of faith, values, belonging and heritage, combined with the benefits of ‘wings’: the character and skills to explore, become independent, reach their full potential in the world, and walk in freedom. Some might use the word discipled in that context.
Essential to the part of the metaphor of the wings is that, if we equate children to being ‘birds’ who perch on a branch, through coaching and experience they know that their security lies in their ‘wings’, not in the branch that supports them. They will not fall if their platform collapses because they are able to act in their own power. This can be resilience, independent action, expressing personal responsibility or self-determination, but such attitudes and actions prevent children from a sense of victimhood and powerlessness.
Roots: The Foundation
· Belonging & Identity: A connection to family, culture and history, and knowing God loves them.
· Stability & Values: Grounding them in morals, traditions and a sense of place.
· Security: Knowing where home is and who they are, standing in an active understanding of faith.
Wings: The Freedom to Soar
· Independence: The ability to stand on their own and make their own choices. The sense that their relationship with God (‘vertical self’) secures their interaction with people (horizontal self).
· Resilience: The attitude, skills and confidence to face challenges.
· Exploration: The encouragement, then self-belief, to pursue dreams and discover their own potential.
This theme is catchy and memorable. Using the language of the metaphor enables powerful application to everyday experiences, pastoral conversations and learning in skills and content.
I offer you this information so that you may have parallel conversations with your children at home that will serve to reinforce, in partnership, the school’s emphasis.