Into the rhythms of school life

“The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

– Lamentations 3:25-26

Recently I came across a lovely quote from the work of Frederick Beuchner. In it, he reminds us to pay attention, to our lives and all that is in them.

“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”

Can I encourage you to do just that, as a means of recognising and counteracting the reality noted by John Lennon, that “life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans”.

In being a bit more alert and alive to our lives, and as a reminder of helpful practices and patterns to establish and use, I am happy to refer you to the work of Steve Knox, who has worked with the Senior Leadership Team at NBCS. His seven rules for teams apply equally to families and individuals, and are as follows:

1. Speak the truth. Honesty really is the best policy. Work is tough enough without extra drama.
2. Pay attention to patterns. Poor patterns of behaviour mean trouble. They point to something deeper.
3. Do the work. Blame, excuses, and distractions are procrastination. Integrity means taking personal responsibility.
4. Prioritize downtime. Boundaries replenish energy and focus. It’s good to give a healthy “No”.
5. Accept the struggle. Conflict and crises are normal life happening. That’s all.
6. Stay adaptable. Change and progress go together. They are how we learn and grow.
7. Keep your feet on the ground. Humility is about knowing and doing what we’re great at. It’s how we achieve something truly meaningful.

I trust that the school year has started well. We are excited by what lies in prospect.

Tim Watson
Principal