PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Another busy fortnight at John Therry comes to a close. Last week saw a visit from the CSNSW Directors and all Diocesan Directors. This group leads Catholic Education in NSW. Part of this group spent time at John Therry listening to our story and viewing our buildings and resources. A big thank you to those students who met this group and informed them of our reality.
We also had a film crew here from CEDoW, talking to Staff and students about our improvement in Learning and Well-Being. There has been significant improvement in learning outcomes (most easily measured by our HSC results, but many other measures) and a significant improvement in behaviour (as feedback from surveys and data re suspensions etc tells us).
You will read in this edition the many sporting successes that we have had, including our Rugby League girls selected for Southern Country. We also congratulate Tamika Thorne on receiving the Bishop’s Award for Student Excellence on Tuesday evening.
As we wind down to the last four weeks of Term 3 we also keep our Year 12 students in our focus. After having two years of covid disruptions they now come to the end of their secondary schooling lives. We wish them well.
THE PASSING OF ARCHIE ROACH - Reflection
The recent passing of the Indigenous Australian songwriter and activist Archie Roach changed this continent and its people forever.
The ‘big tree’ that was Archie Roach, provided shelter, a home, a refuge, a challenge, inspiration, respite, nourishment and unity to our nation.
Just as the majestic, old growth forest trees are unnoticed until they fall, any person who did not know of Archie before his death, immediately felt the impact after. The familiar name they may not have put a face to, or the music and lyrics that they may have heard at some time in the past, all made sense after he died as the story of the ‘big tree’ emerged on our televisions, phones, laptops and radios in all its detail and nuance.
Archie Roach was one of our greatest storytellers because he was the story. The story of Archie Roach.
Linda Burney, the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, said Roach was “one of our nation’s greatest songmen and truth-tellers and a giant of the Australian music industry and of our mob… For many Australians, Archie was their first exposure to the horrors of the Stolen Generations. His voice, his music and his story came out of trauma and pain. His powerful songs also brought people together. They provided strength and still serve as a source of healing – putting into words what was unspeakable”.
Just as the falling of a big tree is sad and traumatic, it then becomes another type of home, refuge and respite for other plants and animals in the forest as it finds a new space and form on the forest floor.
As we weep in the forest, we need to deeply listen and notice the seeds from the ‘big tree’ that have germinated and other life that has emerged in the void. This weeping will only be temporary as the hope provided by a new ‘big tree rising’ begins to emerge.
As a nation, Archie Roach sat us down to deeply listen to his story of trauma and triumph.
We are slowly learning from our First Nations People, our ‘big tree’ people - complete with etched wisdom and gnarly resilience. The wellsprings of hope displayed in the arts, sport, literature, music, dance, politics, language and spirituality of our Indigenous sisters and brothers, contrast with their multiple challenges such as child incarceration, poor health status, intergenerational trauma and high unemployment.
If we sit and listen to our ‘big trees’, we will learn. If we discern and are convinced that a ‘big tree rising’ mindset is required, we will act. If we act, the weeping will cease and the voids created by the ‘big tree down’ will be filled.
As a Christian community with our own story, the ‘big tree down - weeping in the forest’ experience is not unfamiliar.
The death of Archie and his ongoing legacy of storyline, reminds us of the hope of Jesus’ resurrection. The hope of the ‘big tree rising’.
The Holy Spirit eases our tears and settles us back into a deep listening state of grace.
God bless you, Archie. We will continue to listen, discern and act for the sake of the other.
Watch Archie Roach perform with Paul Kelly and others at the 2020 ARIA Awards here and reflect on:
- Who are the ‘big trees’ in your life and why? What is the impact they have upon your life?
- What qualities do we have that make us ‘big trees’ to other people in our family, school, workplace and the broader community?
- Where are you, or being invited to, experience hope in your life?
