This week one hundred and two Year 6 students headed off to Lake Tinaroo for their much awaited school camp. As they boarded the bus at 6.30 am, most were filled with excitement, others put on a brave face disguising their nerves. Parents who were present to farewell their child mirrored the mixed emotions.

For some students it will be the first time they have spent four days away from their family. Some will be homesick and some might even shed a tear as tiredness accompanied by the reality of having to be responsible for organising gear for the different activities becomes a reality.

There will be other challenges, such as facing their fears at abseiling, canoeing and working beyond their comfort zone. The encouragement and support of their peers and adults will help to dissipate the fear and allow students to achieve goals they never thought were possible.

By the time the students share their stories and memories with family members, many of the hurdles will have paled into insignificance. Children are not always given the recognition they deserve for their resilience.

We, the adults need to guide and support children while allowing them to take risks and face challenges. In this week’s newsletter the teaching staff for 2020 are listed. The class teachers spend many hours creating class lists, please respect their judgement. It is natural for anyone of us to experience a ‘fear of the unknown’, as adults we know what we would have missed if we hadn’t been prepared to take a risk.  There is a great saying – ‘nothing ventured nothing gained’.

Congratulations to our past students who will graduate this week. We wish them well in their future endeavours.

God Bless,

Geraldine