We are fast approaching the end of what has been yet another turbulent and challenging term. The days in which the Senior School stood almost completely empty for days, weeks and months on end are an increasingly distant memory and our students and staff have shown incredible resilience and flexibility in adapting to the cohort-grouped approach to face to face learning for much of this term.

Maya Angelo is quoted as saying, “You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated”. I think there is some wisdom there for each of us as we approach the end of this term and the year itself. Facing defeats, or disappointments, is a natural part of living because we live in hope and have aspirations for ourselves and for those around us. How we respond to these setbacks, and what we do as a result, has the power to shape our lives for the better or for the worse.

In recent weeks many of our teaching and site staff have been involved in detailed conversations and planning as we finalise our plans for end of term events for the Class of 2021. Whilst every individual TIGS student, and each year group, has a story to tell about the events they have experienced this year, it is difficult to imagine that the disruption and uncertainty could be more profoundly felt than it has been by our outgoing Year 12 students. Time and again they have been required to respond to the impact of changed guidelines and altered plans as they – and their school – have navigated the end of their HSC courses, their postponed HSC examinations and latterly, the plans for their Formal and Graduation celebrations during the last week of term. But, as I’ve watched them lining up to go into their HSC examinations in recent weeks, they have not been defeated, and they have not given up. And this is clearly true for so many in the TIGS community who face their own day to day challenges with steely determination.

For the Christian, we know that our hope is never in vain because we can rest secure in the promises we find in Jesus. Living by faith means being secure in the knowledge that whatever challenges and uncertainties may come our way, our hope is placed in nothing less than the creator of Heaven and Earth. In John’s gospel we read, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world”. What better hope could we wish for as this year starts to draw toward its close.