Principal’s Message
Posted November 13 2008Thought for the week
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”
I am not sure who originated the above saying. I heard it the first time from Imam Muhammad Ashafa who is half of the pair known as the Imam and the Pastor. These two have spoken at the United Nations, in Europe, Australia and Africa. Following a lengthy period of organising militia to kill one another they came to realise that until they forgave one another for all the perceived wrongs that had been done, there could be no healing, no harmony and no peace. They got together and have since started transforming everyone’s perception of the teachings of Islam and also those of Christianity. They both expound the above phrase and have encouraged religious leaders and communities all around the world to start loving one another and just to forgive, forgive, forgive. It’s a great lesson.
The Fete that we all experienced last weekend was an event to be remembered. Good food, good pickings, many good bargains and a lot of fun for all ages. There was a really good feeling of community and happiness and I am indebted to the wonderful PTA, the class Fete Representatives and all of the volunteers who worked so tirelessly that day. The rain held off and only started at about 5pm after much of the clean-up was completed. While on that subject I must congratulate and thank all the students who assisted with setting up the fete and also helped with cleaning things up afterwards. School was able to function fully from 9.00am on Monday morning.
Thank you to the teachers who assisted with various stalls, to David Bortoli and John Dirienzo who moved all of the Fete equipment and sale items from the shed and also helped put things away on Monday morning. Thank you to all the students who helped on stalls and also to those who just came and had fun.
A special word of thanks to Sheree Amprimo the Chairperson of the PTA who did a lot of the organisation but I also saw many of the other PTA members working tirelessly throughout the day. Thanks to Judy Orford, Jean Barrand, Joy DiFede, Jenny Salgo and Sabrina Samaranayake. I would like to mention all the organisers of the stalls by name but this bulletin would then be too long. Please accept my grateful thanks for all that you did.
The financial aspect was excellent and over $40 000 was taken on the day. We are confident that after expenses have been paid out we will have a very good result.
The Year 7 students have been involved in Student-led-conferences and these have proved to be a wonderful way for parents to find out what their children have been doing all year.
The Year 12 students are almost finished their VCE Exams and the reports I have been getting from them is that they felt very well prepared. We are sure that they have done their best and we look forward to hearing of their successes when the results are announced on December 16.
Year 10 exams start next week and then they will be off the Work Experience. We trust that this will be a positive experience for them.
The rest of the Senior School will start their exams the following week and we wish them well as the year draws to a close.
Sholto Bowen
Principal
November 13 2008 02:23 pm | All and Principals Message | 
