I have a picture in my office, of a man sitting on the seat of a donkey cart, being pulled by a pair of donkeys. It always seems to me that he is happily moving at the pace of the donkeys.
The one donkey is looking to the side to watch the bushes as they go past, and the other is looking ahead to see where they are going. Is this not just as we find people in life? Some are happy to follow, others want to take in the view, and the last set want to be the ones to make all the decisions.
A few highlights of our year include our successes on the Sports fields. Our netball has had a very successful season, with many teams doing extremely well against teams which, on paper, were much tougher than ourselves. Swimming has undergone an amazing transformation with us fielding 2 teams for the first time in all the years that I have been at Assumption. Our A team has done very well, and have been in the top three in most of the galas that we have swum in. The B team, which is actually used as a breeding ground for the A team, and is depleted whenever an A team swimmer is not available, has not had to be ashamed of their results. The spirit in that team has to be seen to be believed. Tennis is undergoing a wonderful revival, with a team able to be fielded for the first time in a number of years. Hockey continues to grow in popularity. Our girls have done us proud on the field each time that we have gone out to matches. One of our girls was even selected to play in the Interprovincial in July. Our girls have also been involved in various Athletics meetings, which have been very rewarding, and some outstanding performances were noted.
Looking forward to next year, as the one donkey does, we know that we will have to really try harder to achieve better results, and this is going to take a lot of effort, but I am sure that the girls will rise to the challenge. This is not to say that we have not enjoyed being with the children as they went out to matches. I know that they all tried very hard, and were sometimes disappointed with the results, but they did not ever give up, at all times they were there to do their best.
Our mini councilors have beavered away with the rest of the council, and have done some really wonderful things. We managed to collect a record amount of easter eggs which were distributed to the needy, as well as various other collections. These 2 girls have done us proud with their commitment, and have been well supported by their classmates.
Another highlight of our year, especially for the Senior Primary, was the tours. Our Grade 4 and 5 group went to Camp5stone near Parys. I am sure that they will remember throwing mud and water at the teachers for many years. The Grade 6 and 7 group did the Natal tour. The girls got the chance to touch a large snake, and even to eat a bit of crocodile meat. These excursions are always a chance to make memories. This was all a case of sitting back and enjoying the ride, although they were well aware that they were being watched by outsiders at all times. We did get some very complimentary remarks about the behaviour of our girls.
Our RE programme has really been lovely this year. The highlight of this was the First Communion celebration of the Grade 3 girls in October. The girls have all had a chance to be part of a small mass, and also to be part of the school masses. These have all been well enjoyed by the children. We have been very blessed this year to have a special teacher to play music at all the masses and not only the school masses. It has helped the singing.
In addition to all of the activities mentioned already, we even found time to produce 2 concerts. The Junior Primary had an enormous amount of fun putting “Rapunzel” on for their parents. The Senior Primary put on “Christmas in July” and “Snow White and the Seven Jockeys”, and this was really good. These children, and the staff, were also exhausted at the end of their 2 day run.
Our staff has again remained very stable. We welcomed Ms Royce in at the beginning of the year to teach the second Grade 4 class, which she has done with aplomb. Mrs Signor decided in August that she wanted a change, and we had Mrs Pearson come in to take on her class. Mrs Pearson has done a sterling job in the Grade 00 class.
As you can see, when we look back, we have had a year of looking forward, and getting on with what needed to be done, as well as times to just sit and enjoy the scenery as things happen around us.
I ask myself, “What have I learned from the year?” and my response has to be – “Get up, be involved, it will be an exciting time!”
I thank Mr Workman for his tremendous courage in leading our school in this torrid financial time, for his support and care; our staff for all that they do to make it all happen, tour parents for entrusting your children to us, the children for being here to challenge us daily, and finally the Assumption Sisters for their continued prayers and support.
May the good Lord shower all of you, and your loved ones, with his love and blessings.
C REED - PRIMARY HEAD