It’s always a pleasure showing external people around the School and yesterday was no different, as the sun shone and during the various wanderings around the two campuses, I was able to take the time to step back and view just some of the things that our Carmel students were involved in. It made me very proud as well as grateful for what we enjoy at Carmel.

Seeing what was going on prompted me to reflect on all the opportunities our students enjoy and the lovely environment in which they work. We saw Year 3 students in the Sylvia and Harry Hoffman Hall practising their singing and dancing for what looks to be a very lively contribution to the end of year concert. We watched Kindy children painting towers of colourful blocks and Pre-primaries involved in a learning activity, which included a lot of sparkly glitter. There were High School students enjoying the sunshine in a Phys Ed lesson and senior students quietly getting on with their exams (possibly not enjoying them, but certainly writing confident answers!). Other students were sitting around chatting, playing musical instruments or seemingly just enjoying each others’ company.

It reminded me that sometimes in the rush of all we do and all the important things we want to achieve, we forget to stand aside and appreciate what is happening around us. I have coached sporting coaches who needed to step back and let a game proceed without calling out and interfering at every opportunity. Experienced teachers also know when to not micromanage their class, but to step back and let things evolve – especially if this means allowing mistakes to happen, which is so necessary for effective learning.

On another note, our new obstacle course playground is so nearly ready for a grand opening. The students in the L.E.A.P. class of two years ago have had to wait so long to see the fruits of their labours come to fruition – it has been a great lesson in perseverance and patience. I am confident that it will be worth the wait and I intend to bring the original students back down to the Primary School to see what they have enabled to happen. It’s a great example of students learning within the confines of an authentic project.

I hope you are able to make the time to have the opportunity to step back and peruse what’s going on - at work, at home or somewhere else that is important to you. You might be pleasantly surprised to see how well things are going.