Celebrating Milestones

Amidst the hustle and bustle of a new school year, and the busy-ness of life more generally, it's easy to forget the significance of celebrating milestones. Nelson Mandela once shared this piece of wisdom that resonates with me: "Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead." 

Prescott Primary Northern certainly celebrated a milestone this past weekend. Our school turned 50 on the 3rd of February.

The planning for this event began back in June of last year. As we reflected back on the 50 years of this wonderful school and the impact this place has had on the lives of those who walked through these doors, we connected this to a ripple effect. Some may only attend Prescott Primary Northern for a short while, and some have been very involved for years, but each one of us can take what has mattered to us here, the values instilled in us, the sense of community and belonging, and drop this into our communities as we walk through life.

We will never know just how far this ripple effect may reach.

Our celebrations began with a special chapel for our staff and students, the highlight being an incredible 50th cake. These celebrations continued into the weekend with a special program at church on Saturday, where our community heard from past and present staff and students who reflected on their journey and memories at Prescott and the ripple effect their Prescott experience has had on their own lives and communities. We had guests travel from interstate to be a part of these celebrations, with some past staff from the 1970s joining us. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch together and a school tour to allow our guests to see the changes and growth in our school, from an original building and a potato field, to the wonderful campus we enjoy today.

If you would like to watch the special service, you may see it by clicking here or on the image below.

The festivities continued on Sunday, with many families braving the heat and coming to enjoy our Family Fun Day. It was great to see so many smiling faces enjoying the activities, animal farm, food trucks, music and so much more. We got to see work by PPN students from 1999 as we opened a time capsule, and also contributed to a time capsule that will stay sealed until 2049. 

My highlight from the weekend was witnessing the joy when people were connecting and reconnecting with one another, and reflecting on their journeys at PPN. This weekend has certainly highlighted the importance of celebrating milestones. As Mandela shared the importance of this as we prepare to move forward, I would like to acknowledge all the past and present staff who imparted their passion, support and influence on this school, helping it to be the incredible place it is today. It is the people who have gone before us, their dedication, their vison and their resilience, that motivates us to look forward and dream about what the next 50 years may bring.

While milestones mark significant progress, they are but stepping stones in the greater journey of life. Each accomplishment signals a new beginning, a fresh opportunity to set goals and aspirations, tackle greater challenges, and strive for excellence.

As we embark on the school year ahead, it is my prayer that we acknowledge all the milestones this year - the great and small, the learning and the personal milestones, and that we foster a culture of appreciation and gratitude, for the people and the community around us who will journey with us throughout the school year.

Blessings,

Tamara