Principal’s Message
Posted September 11 2009“Are we benefited by praying? Yes, the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return to us void.”
How important is the care of children? People attend schools, universities, TAFE’s, and receive training for a number of jobs. Yet people take on one of the most significant responsibilities in life – parenting and caring for children – with very limited personal experience and a touch of the well-meaning advice of others. As parents, we undoubtedly want the best for our children. You and I would do pretty much anything to help a child learn, improve themselves, love others and stay mentally and physically healthy.
A fortnight ago I listed ten tips for parenting. The article elicited a warm response from parents who shared with me some of their ideas around raising children. Below I have compiled a new list that takes ideas from the emails I have received from you:
Modelling: Children learn through observation. As parents we need to walk the talk. If your wife is wearing a new outfit, complement her. Do your children hear you telling your partner how much you love and appreciate him/her? Say thank you for the small things and speak kindly. Speak positively. Model how to resolve arguments through respectful discussion. Think about how you react to being cut off in traffic, being angry with someone on the telephone, speaking about someone who has annoyed you at the office. We are our children’s best (or worst) teachers.
It’s ok: It’s ok for children to see our frailties. Sometimes it brings out the caring nature in them and encourages them to extend some care towards you. It’s ok to struggle through issues of sexual morality with them – your rules and ways of doing things must be ones you are comfortable with. What your neighbour or best friend does may not be at all relevant to the way you run your relationship with your kids.
Know your kids: Take them out for one on one time even when they are young and just spend time chatting. It’s too late to go out for coffee if you’ve never gone to the park or shared a milkshake together. You chose to have them and bring them up, so put in the time to get to know them.
Be present: When you are spending time with your children, be present with them. Cut out all other distractions (mobile phones included). Put the newspaper down, turn off the TV and enjoy the moment. If it’s a card game, play the game with all your heart. If you’re reading a book, thoroughly enjoy the special moment. Be focused on your child even when it is a most inopportune time!
Respect: Create a climate of mutual respect. Seek first to understand and then ensure that you are understood. At the end of the day, though, you are the adult, you have the wisdom, so you get to make the decisions!
Remember: Remember God made your kids good. In fact, He made them perfect. That’s a pretty comforting thought when things are a little tough and errant behaviour has crept in. It’s also a powerful lens through which to see your children- beautiful, kind, loving, intelligent, and healthy.
Prayer: When parents discover how the power of prayer can assist them to do things even better than before, they naturally turn first to God. Children all over the world deserve all the love and care we can give them, and prayer certainly helps us to do this. When it’s all too hard, pray. ‘Our Father’ probably knew something about the agonies of dealing with kids too…..!!
Thank you so much to those of you who were willing to share their wisdom on how to raise children so that they become fine young adults.
Celebrations:
Our champion cross country team was celebrating again on Wednesday as they brought home the EISM trophy for the 11th consecutive time. This remarkable achievement is due to a number of factors. The coaching staff led by Mr. Rees train, enthuse and motivate the athletes. The athletes pushed themselves in training and on the day believing in themselves and their team mates. It was a magnificent individual and team effort which saw the overall trophy as well as the Boys’ trophy and Girls’ trophy being brought back to Huntingtower yet again.
Our Mathematicians performed brilliantly in the 2009 Australian Mathematics Competition. Almost 25% of our students achieved distinctions and higher distinctions with a number being ranked in the 100th percentile. Over 60% of the students received credit or above. Huntingtower’s results are always good in this test, but these results are the best we have ever had. Congratulations to the Maths department and to our students!
Ms. Beal’s Year 12 Media class had a showcase evening last Friday night. The short films were of outstanding quality and I was in awe of the skill and creativity of the students and the obvious passion of the teacher. An amazing 7 Huntingtower students were accepted to the Monash Youth Film Festival. We have half the finalists as only 14 films get accepted across the council!
Dansation, the Middle School student-led dance extravaganza, will take place on Monday night at 6.30pm. All students and families are warmly invited. Not only will you see our students performing their own routines but there will also be special guest items including past students. It is always a spectacular night and we look forward to seeing you there.
Year 7 Philosophy
As an extension program, we offer Philosophy once a week in Semester 1 for Year 8, in Semester 2 for Year 7. Our recent discussion has focused on the enigma of happiness. We have been comparing our definitions with other views. Below are our year 7’s final definitions.
• Happiness is a feeling you create when you see, think, have or live something that feels good. – Casey
• Happiness can sometimes come when you least expect it but you need to willingly let it in, it usually doesn’t come, or stay, if you are searching for it or looking to improve it. – Karina
• Happiness is having nothing to worry about, it’s something you can’t choose, but while you have it, it’s great! – Claudia
• Happiness is when you feel as if life is good and everything is alright. -Selina
• Happiness is a feeling of great euphoria. Everyone seeks it, but the thought of being happy often gets lost in a sea of others. – Fiona
• Happiness is being able to control our feelings, so we don’t get angry and we love everyone. We should pass on happiness to everyone we meet and be kind to them. Happiness is always there, you just need to find it inside yourself. – Steven
• Happiness is different for everyone. If you search for what makes you happy, you probably won’t find it. But if you live life as it comes, you may discover what makes you happy unexpectedly. – David
• Happiness is love of the world, whatever makes you happy means you love , so when you love you are happy. – Noah
• Happiness is here now. If you’re too conscious about it, it may leave you but if you live life , it will stay with you as long as life does. – James
September 11 2009 | All and Principals Message | No Comments » | 
