Principal's Welcome - Week 9, Term 3, 2021

Dear College families,
Well, we made it! It's the final week of Term 3 and a period of time where we can experience different routines is before us. Congratulations! You have all done so well.
If you had told me at the beginning of the previous school holidays that we would be in remote learning mode for the whole of Term 3 I would not have believed that it could be possible. Quite frankly though, I'm glad I didn't know back then. Had I known then, I think I would have been overwhelmed by panic and stress. And, whilst the constant changes to restrictions has at times been a major source of frustration, as I reflect on Term 3, I am noticing that the gradual approach to releasing information about when schools may return has nudged me to be daily dependent on Jesus, a factor which has been super helpful in moving me through this term.
In the stripping away of all my pre-Covid routines which I thought I controlled, I have realised afresh that I am completely dependent on God. The truth is though, whether we are in lockdown or not, we are always fully dependent on God. We can craft plans, we can invent routines, we can imagine a roadmap back to school but only God, our loving maker can set them in motion. Proverbs puts it this way "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails" (Proverbs 19:21). And although that it may seem a scary proposition that we are never really in control why would we not want to trust the God who says this to us - "For I am the LORD your God, who take hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear, I will help you". Isaiah 41:13. How awesome is it to have a powerful God who wants to lead us and help us?
I trust that this holiday period brings you rest, peace, relief and refreshment. This is an awesome community and I am so thankful to God for each of you.
Felicity Marlow
Principal