I sat in on an interesting evening presentation to a group of women leaders at AISWA this week, entitled 鈥楾he Art of Patience鈥�. It served to reinforce one of my personal failings, but did provide some interesting thoughts around the importance of being patient. We heard about the need to not be reactive and clamour for instant results, rather to reflect, walk more slowly and not believe that all emails require an immediate response!听 Speakers talked about 鈥渆mbracing the struggle鈥�, and related this to students at school needing to be challenged if they are to learn; one speaker compared the role of the Principal to driving an ocean liner (鈥渟teering something huge鈥�) which brought up many discussion points, both literal and metaphorical. I also liked a quotation from Desmond Tutu, pointing out that 鈥淲e need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they鈥檙e falling in鈥�.

I鈥檓 not sure patience is a regular visitor to the thinking of all primary school children, but those at Carmel Primary School have experienced a significant focus on respect, this term. The students in various classes have enjoyed a guest appearance from Mrs Bolton, who joined them to discuss the meaning of respect and work out what it looks like in everyday life at school and beyond the Carmel gates. I have enjoyed hearing 鈥淭hat鈥檚 such a respectful way of putting it鈥�, and 鈥淲hat great respect you are showing!鈥� as I wander around the campus.

On an Arts note, the VAPA presentation evening last week was simply fantastic. The artwork, drama and music presented by Carmel students blew me away and it was wonderful to see such a range of talent on display. We really do have some impressive performers at our school and the musicians and actors who performed on the night were just brilliant. Playing instruments, singing and acting of an excellent standard were all on show and there was evidence of just a few tissues being needed as our Year 10 YOHFest winners performed their 鈥淭hank you, Mum!鈥� piece. I am excited to think about the possibilities for students at Carmel next year as we launch our Carmel Academy of Performing Arts at the beginning of 2024. I am confident that this will provide opportunities for many more students to thrive in the Arts at AV学院.

Julie Harris