For the first time in living memory, we move into Holy Week knowing that we are unable to celebrate as a Catholic community the events that culminate with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The words of Joni Mitchell, “That you don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone” seem very appropriate this year, across many aspects of our lives. Term 1 always ends with the school remembering the events of Holy Week and celebrating them in conjunction with our Parish family. This year is quite different!
 
I was watching 7.30 on the ABC last night and was moved by the many grandchildren sending messages of love and warm wishes to their grandparents. I hope that when we get through to the other side of this pandemic that we will have a renewed sense of what really matters in our lives and begin a “new life” by focusing on what matters most; our families, our faith and our wellbeing. It is timely that during Easter we are called into “new life” through the Resurrection of Jesus. I hope that you have the opportunity to reflect on this concept over the next few days.
 
This week the teachers have been preparing for Term 2 home-based learning. The reality is that nobody knows how long we will have to teach and learn in this manner. As a school, we are preparing to provide HBL for the whole of the term. This is not what we want for ourselves as teachers, nor for the children as students. This is not how students learn nor how we teach. However, we are making the most out of the situation and preparing to teach as best as we can under the circumstances. In yesterday’s email, I included the quote from the CSO’s HBL webpage:
 
“Home-Based Learning is the scaled-up, educational response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a blended approach to teaching and learning delivered remotely to ensure continuity of learning for students. Learning activities can be delivered online, digitally and non-digitally. Teachers are not being asked to replicate classroom-based, face to face teaching.”
 
Next term will present challenges across many facets of our lives. We need to be prepared as best as we can by making the most of the holiday break. Exercise, checking in on family and friends, and taking time to manage our own wellbeing through meditation, prayer and rest can be ways to do this. We can take part in the events of Holy Week and Sunday Masses by accessing the North Harbour Parish Facebook page where live-streaming will happen until we resume our “normal” way of life.
 
A reminder that home-based learning resumes on Tuesday 28^th April.
 
I wish you and your families a safe, healthy and holy Easter break. I look forward to “seeing” you all next term.
 
God bless

Michael Gallagher
Principal