Buoyed by the sunny blue skies this week, I am approaching Term 4 with a sense of optimism. I am very much looking forward to returning our beautiful School back to one abuzz with student laughter, chatter and activity.

After five attempts by VCAA to schedule and re-schedule the GAT this year, we happily welcomed the VCE students on Tuesday morning, and then abruptly ushered the girls into examination rooms to complete the three-hour GAT exam. It was, undoubtedly, a rude awakening to Lockdown 6!

I have been nothing short of impressed with our VCE students who have approached their studies with diligence and maturity. Unlike the COVID impacted 2020 academic year, the VCE subjects have not been altered with syllabus reductions nor the examination dates delayed. The Year 12 girls will need to ‘hit the ground running’ over the next fortnight, liaising closely with their teachers as they complete their final preparations, including an on-campus practice English exam this Saturday morning.

With the health of our Year 12 students a priority this term, we will do everything in our power to ensure the campus remains COVID free. I also urge community members, families and students over the age of 12 years to get vaccinated. I have included here a summary letter of the School’s response to the mandatory vaccinations for school staff and school volunteers in Victoria.

Over the course of the September break, my planned three-day AHISA conference for Principals (on the Gold Coast!) was sadly reduced to a six hour Zoom call at home. I know I am not alone in my despair of missing the Queensland warmth and sunshine in September and needless to say, I was disappointed to not travel north. Despite this, the keynote address at the AHISA (online) Conference, by former Westpac CEO, Gail Kelly was excellent.

As the first female CEO of one of Australia’s big four banks, listed by Forbes in 2010 as the eighth most powerful woman in the world, and mother of four (including triplets), Gail is celebrated as one of Australia’s finest, most innovative thinkers on leadership and workplace culture. In her presentation to principals, Gail shared what she has learned over her remarkable career, drawing from her personal and professional life. As a leader, she argues passionately for the importance of putting people and customers at the heart of a business; of leading with courage and generosity of spirit; and of resilience.

I appreciated Gail’s reflection on Eddie Jaku and his book, The Happiest Man on Earth. As a Holocaust survivor, Eddie revealed how he found gratitude and hope, despite the devastation of being stripped of his livelihood, exposed to the horrors of death camps and as Eddie writes: “I know what it is to stare evil in the face”. As Gail espoused, people can choose to be optimistic, to see the world through a glass-half full perspective, choosing how to respond to others and that a positive mindset has a multiplier impact on your life.

This week, our digital Spring edition of St Catherine’s News will be distributed to families, within which our Head of Boarding Services, Mrs Sue Collister shares how our Boarding girls explored the messages within Jaku’s book during Random Acts of Kindness Week. To explore our latest edition click here.

Of the leadership lessons Gail spoke to, it was the need to have a ‘generosity of spirit’ as an essential ingredient for being successful in life. Fundamentally, if you believe in practising generosity of spirit, at your heart you believe in the power of an individual to make a difference and at your heart, you treat individuals with deep respect and want to see others flourish.

In the last few weeks of Lockdown 6, I encourage families to join with me in drawing on this wisdom and strength from Gail’s shared words. What helps is loving what you do. Being a principal, with girls returning to School this week, gave me much joy and pride in how superbly our teachers have guided the journey of their students.

Finally, I encourage you all to continue adopting the optimistic frame of reference St Catherine’s is known for, take some time to recognise the multiplier impact this has on others around you and the sense of inner calmness it enables.

My best wishes for Term 4.