Mr Bliss

Last Thursday I spent the afternoon with the Prep classes. As a Unit of Inquiry, our Preps are investigating people in the community and the relationships that connect us to groups and communities. The questions flowed thick and fast. They had me on my toes, wanting to know what I do, whether I like doing it and how it ‘fits in’ with our community. Sometimes, to be true, I wonder about such things myself. These have been the strangest of times and there has surely been many “balls in the air”, balancing often conflicting requirements and expectations to present “operating procedures” which are reasonable, deliverable and sustainable.
I am a teacher. It defines me. It is my vocation. My greatest weekly joy is still teaching “my” class, an opportunity that in my opinion is too seldom exercised by colleague Principals. Strolling … er, walking with purpose around the campus, interacting with students of all ages, is what puts the wind in my sails. St Andrews’ staff inspire me; they’re truly impressive. The parents, with rare exception, offer their trust and respect, not just simply through the act of enrolment, though moreover through their words and actions which genuinely affirm that they are “happy” that their children are being deeply valued and well educated. Sure enough, there can be some less cheery days, and sometimes those days can come quite close to one another. Despite that, though, and amidst days of significant challenge as an educational leader, it was easy for me to reflect with the Prep classes that I have “the best job ever”. It is invariably complex, indeed complicated, often bordering on chaotic, though a teacher I am, and with that I am well pleased.
COVID-DAYS CONTINUE
It is easy to feel, with all students back on campus, that things have returned to normal – they have not. Sure enough, teachers and students have seamlessly returned to the face-to-face exchange of learning, though the management of ‘non-school’ matters, even within the context of ‘at-school’, continues to present unique challenges.
I will continue to communicate all matters on a latest and fullest basis, at least weekly. At times, it feels I am doing little else recently other than digesting incoming formal communiques from Regulatory Authorities, considering how they are applied, and re-framing them as they are disseminated across our own community. I have never written so much. Seems like a good note to end this newsletter reflection on!
David Bliss
Principal