The festive season is with us bringing the first term of school to its close. December is an extremely busy time at St. Catherine’s High School but is also a time for celebrations and at our School we do our utmost to create an environment that reminds us of this special time.
December is about waiting. Ron Rolheiser writes: "Learn to wait! That's not something we do easily and many of our problems flow from that. We often don't wait properly for things.” Annie Dillard shares her story about proper waiting: She had been watching a butterfly emerge from its cocoon and was fascinated by the process until she grew impatient with how long it was taking and, to speed things up, took a candle and heated the cocoon, albeit very gently. The experiment worked, but it was a mistake in the long run. The butterfly emerged more quickly; however, because adding heat violated something within the natural process, the butterfly was born with wings too weak to fly. Haste and prematurity had stunted and deformed a natural process.
Some things cannot be rushed, even if the world we live in is ruled by immediacy. In fact, Carlo Carretto suggests this: "Be patient! Learn to wait - for each other, for love, for happiness, for God!" So change would be happening, even if it may not be so apparent or the process is very slow. Therefore, as our heart waits for its Christmas, let us all cherish the gifts that lie in the process of waiting.
December was all hustle and bustle with different activities taking place. And, despite the stress levels going up at times and the tiredness impacting on our energies, it is very satisfying to see the smiles, the excitement and the happiness on the students’ faces as they prepare - be it rehearsals, class activities, costume-making, exchanging cards, decorating the place, or contributing to good causes - and wait for the Christmas events. And after all the waiting, satisfaction eventually comes filling the School and our hearts with joy.
We want to thank all the Teachers and Child Carers for their commitment for making this festive season, once again, one to remember for their students. Well done and keep it up!
And as the School closes for the Christmas period, we hope that our students and staff take time to rest and enjoy this time and regain their energies for when we resume school in January, in the hope that the second and third terms provide us with yet more joys of schooling.
Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
Read more in the December Newsletter issue...