Well, school family, we have reached Week 10! We have made it and this gives us reason to celebrate. At the beginning of the term, we were thrown all sorts of curve balls and we were unsure of how the term would pan out. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our school community for your patience, understanding and flexibility to work with us during these uncertain times and changes to regular school life. Without your support, this term may have been incredibly difficult for our school family. Thank you! At the beginning of next term, we will be able to share with you some of the restrictions that will have been lifted, according to the guidance we will receive from AISSA (Association of Independent Schools South Australia) and SA Health. 

While reflecting upon this term, I remembered some concepts from a book I read many years ago. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in trying to get a hold of a digital copy of this book to reread it. The title alone resonates with me: "Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do" by Robert Schuller. ‘Every mountain has a peak. Every valley has its low point. Life has its ups and downs, its peaks and its valleys. No one is up all the time, nor are we down all the time. Problems do end. They do go away. They are all resolved in time.’

No matter what hills and valleys you may have faced this past term, know that our school community has been cheering you on. Even more importantly to understand, our God is the God of the hills and valleys. He desires to walk this life with us, in the ups and the downs, reminding us that tough times don't last, and He journeys with us through it all. I would love to draw your attention to one of my favourite songs by Tauren Wells called "Hills and Valleys". You can listen to this song on You Tube: Tauren Wells - Hills and Valleys (Lyric Video) The lyrics to this song encourage me during the valleys and the tough times, but also remind me that God gets me to the mountain peaks. What a beautiful promise.

As you spend time with your family over the next two weeks, I would like to encourage you to take some time to reflect upon and celebrate the tough times you have conquered together this term and the milestones you have reached, however big or small they may be. Remember, tough times don't last…tough people do! Have a blessed holiday with your loved ones and we look forward to a wonderful Term 3 together.

Blessings,

Tamara