Areas surrounding Sydney have been affected in recent days by destructive bushfires. While there is something of a reprieve at present, the danger has not yet passed, and hotter weather predicted for coming days will potentially exacerbate the already fragile situation.
Two schools in our system, one primary and one secondary, were the subject of emergency action on Thursday. St Thomas Aquinas Primary was evacuated, while St Columba’s High School was locked down pending later evacuation. All students of both schools were safely evacuated and returned to their parents during of the course of the afternoon and evening.
While news of the emergency made its way through our system of schools yesterday, this story appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald today:
What this story reminds us is that working in a school often requires so much more than trying to ensure the highest possible learning outcomes for every student; something that is a big enough challenge in itself. It often involves many other things that are necessary for the wellbeing of students, staff and families, including first aid, meals, counselling, social skills and, sometimes (fortunately not very often), getting children out of harm’s way and being surrogate parents until they can be reunited with their parents and guardians.
Being a teacher can be costly. Not necessarily a financial cost (but perhaps so if you want to start comparing professional salaries), but certainly a social and emotional one. Teaching is demanding, not only of your skills and knowledge, but of your time, your energy and your complete and total commitment to the cause.
So why do they do such a demanding job? The answer for Serge was simple: it’s their job. Some people might not fully comprehend what that means and implies, but teachers do. And from what the story suggests, so too now (if they didn’t already before) do the parents of the St Thomas Aquinas school community. They saw it modelled for them, in a selfless, Christ-like manner on Thursday.
To the teachers and school staff who have had to respond to this disaster, you have done us proud. Your commitment to the safety and wellbeing of your students, and our appreciation for that, cannot be expressed strongly enough. We are sorry for the losses you and your school communities have faced, and may still have to continue to face. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you all.
It's Crowded in Here 