Positive Relationships, Positive Outcomes

It has been a real delight these past two weeks to see our students re-commence their school year - resuming their formal education and embracing the invitation to take full advantage of the opportunities that come by attending Hills Grammar; they have done so with confidence, clarity of purpose and focus, and should be commended.

The new year is often a time of anxiety, particularly for our new students and families, as everything is new and unfamiliar, however I am confident that any issues that arise can be dealt with effectively and efficiently, that routines will soon be familiar and a sense of belonging will quickly emerge. Why am I so confident  of these things – in short; because I have great confidence in our school community.

I was recently asked ‘what one thing would you mention if asked to brag about the School’? I must admit I did not hesitate and immediately mentioned the quality of the relationships between the various groups that make up our community - staff, student and parents, and increasingly with the wider community.

Positive relationships enable and encourage positive outcomes. Their existence within a school context is all the more powerful as they have a significant and positive  impact on the environment we create  and in which our students learn, staff teach and parents contribute and participate. Connection through relationships is so very important to us as individuals and as a School and I invite all members of the community to cherish, celebrate and nurture the quality of the relationships at Hills Grammar so that  we can jointly achieve our ambitions and aspirations for your children / our students.

I recently stumbled across Ted Talk ‘Connected, But Alone’ which I share with you by way of illustration of the importance of our human connection and the risks of disconnection, ironically  in a connected world.

Let’s continue as we have begun the term, mindful and thankful that our positive relationships have positive outcomes. This Newsletter illustrates the point and I trust you will enjoy perusing it.

Michael Smith | Principal

Twitter: @Principal_Hills