From the Principal

At the time of writing, we are six weeks into the Victorian lock down due to the second wave of coronavirus in Australia. Queensland’s borders are closed to three states. I try hard not to use the new lexicon too often – ‘unprecedented’, ‘new normal’, ‘pivot’ and ‘iso’. We’ve experienced school closure, learning at home, blended learning, on-line learning and transitions to and from faceto-face learning. I have expanded my skillset beyond that which previously I had ever imagined. I have tried my hand at video editing, infographic design, digital solutions and webinar hosting.

It has been a remarkable year for St Aidan’s, a year in which time feels like it has stood still, yet also has rushed headlong towards what seems to be an unpredictable future. What has been achieved so far this year, at this unusual pace has been extraordinary.

We have had to be agile to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances and to be flexible to shift at short notice when those circumstances, once again, changed suddenly. We need to be proactive, yet grounded. We have had to find stability and certainty for the good of our community and to always have our eye on the continuity of learning for our students and the wellbeing of all at St Aidan’s.

We have drawn on the collective wisdom of various student, staff, parent and governance teams at St Aidan’s, enabling each member to play to her/his strengths. We have maintained our sense of humour and approached the challenges of the virus with positivity.

Across these months, I have often thought of Viktor Frankl’s 1946 book chronicling his experiences as prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. I read it years ago and found it useful during a time of my life when I was truly challenged. Frankl concludes that the meaning of life is found in every moment of life; life never ceases to have meaning, even in suffering, loss, boredom or death. We need to find purpose, live by our core beliefs and take responsibility for ourselves and other human beings.

I am sure it has come to mind for many of you - as it has me - that we humans are very social animals. Research has shown that socially active people tend to have higher levels of physical and psychological wellbeing.

As humans, we have a strong need for inclusion within a social collective. At times of crisis, human beings like to come together to share experiences, show solidarity and help each other. As COVID-19 threatens peoples’ lives and livelihoods, we need social support the most, and our ‘virtual’ Couch choir, for one and which you will read about, is testament to our community’s need to connect.

We know that connectedness can protect us against the negative impact that these events can have on our mental health. The pandemic has provided an ideal opportunity to reconnect and strengthen our relationships, ones as diverse as our current students developing stronger bonds with their classmates through on-line form class activities, to staff and students reaching out to Old Girls experiencing isolation in Melbourne or in Aged Care Homes.

We have developed a healthy appreciation for minimalism and decluttering, as we are forced to pare back our travel plans and calendars. The need to socially distance and the fewer events on offer just might herald a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to slow down and practise greater selfreflection. We have been conditioned all our lives to run from one commitment to the other. In a sense, our busy lives have assisted us to keep running from ourselves. The considered research projects featured in this edition provide the space and the evidence to re-think our habits and practices.

Here in Brisbane, we have already begun to emerge from the colder months of winter to transform with the blossoms of the new life of spring. In the same vein, our opportunity for greater reflection may have a valuable, transformative impact. We no doubt need this capacity for change, as the world will not be the same as before COVID-19.

Coronavirus has highlighted the tenacity, adaptability and resilience of our school community. It has been truly inspiring to lead St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School in 2020.

Ms Toni Riordan Principal