During the last week I came across a quote attributed to the French philosopher and writer, Voltaire:
“Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position. But certainty is an absurd one”
With our busy modern lives, our calendars and schedules can create a sense of order and certainty. But over the last 18 months we have been given some stark reminders that this certainty might be less robust than we have come to expect. For Voltaire, a proud atheist, the absurdity of certainty reflects a Godless worldview that lacks an ultimate purpose. But for the Christian, there is a certainty we find in Scripture that is anything but absurd. Our faith in the unchanging promises of our Creator provides us with an enduring source of hope and peace, despite the uncertainties we can face in the world around us.
Over the first two weeks of term, Year 8 parents attended their first online parent-teacher interviews, whilst Years 11 and 12 attended an online ‘study skills’ seminar to help parents better understand and support their students with revision, time management and so forth. Year 8 students and their families also attended a virtual Subject Information Evening in which they were able to visit Stage 5 teachers to learn more about potential courses through our interactive ‘Teacher Directory’ which allowed a Zoom call to be initiated with subject teachers simply by clicking on their photograph.
During Week 1, the process of electing Senior School Captains and Vice Captains for 2022 reached its conclusion with shortlisted students being interviewed virtually by members of the Senior School Executive Leadership Team. The current Year 11 cohort has produced a particularly fine collection of hopeful and well qualified applicants and I would like to congratulate all students who have applied for a leadership role. I know that the school will be well served by your individual and collective giftings and passion irrespective of the positions you are appointed to.
In other news, the Science Olympiad, involving students from across the Senior School, has been taking place remotely during Week 2, and a team of Year 9’s have commenced the AMT Maths Enrichment Program in which they will develop collaborative and creative problem solving skills over the coming months.
On a personal note, I greatly enjoyed my virtual coffee-catch up with the School Captains and Vice Captains at the end of Week 1. Like the rest of Year 12, these four exceptional students are feeling acutely aware of the current uncertainties as they consider the term ahead, but they are doing so with typical character and great perseverance.
