Happiness
If you ask most parents what they want for their children, the answer is often ‘for them to be happy’. Whilst this is a good thing, we all know that one cannot be happy all the time. There are going to be occasions when your child and you won’t be happy. Additionally, there will be times of struggle, unfairness, and the gamut of emotions which exist.
I recently read ‘The Resilience Shield’, co-authored by ex-SAS soldiers Ben Pronk, Dan Pronk and Tim Curtis. They express that most of us focus on the seemingly simple task of filling our lives with wanting or trying to be happy. Compared to the alternative, the pursuit of happiness seems a pretty reasonable, if not ultimate goal. However, they also point out that we tend to associate happiness with the outputs of meaningful endeavour and forget all the hard work that has led up to them.
This makes sense – the sweet fruit at the top of the tree is a worthy reward for the hard climb, a perfect tangible manifestation of everything that has been overcome to attain it. The problem is that the fruit is only a proxy for happiness – a correlate, not the cause. If we fail to recognise this, if we attempt to short-circuit the process and grab the fruit without the climb (or worse, get it handed to us), we get confused when it doesn’t bring us any real joy. Consider your relationship with your child – are there areas for development in this area? It’s a hard lesson I’m trying to teach my teenage sons now.
We can’t have the reward without the effort; the result but not the process; the victory but not the fight. What we may forget however, is that without struggle, the reward loses meaning. The ongoing litanies of problems that seem to beset those who are ‘famous for being famous’ serve as anecdotal reinforcement of the emptiness of this kind of venture.
Pronk, Pronk and Curtis articulate that the best definition of happiness comes from a Greek word eudaimonia, commonly translated as ‘happiness’, but more accurately as ‘flourishing’. The origin of the word is even more instructive. It comes from the combination of eu (good) and daimon (spirit). To be in good spirit………or of good spirit. In a redefinition, true happiness then is the moment when you are fulfilled. When you feel that incredible sense of achievement or when you are in the best spirit – when you are ‘flourishing’.
Think back to a time you felt like this. Most likely at the end of some form of struggle; a time after you’d faced and overcome a profound challenge. Mental and physical tests, discomfort, and perhaps even a little self-doubt and anguish. In order to realise that true sense of achievement, some sort of suffering had to take place. This kind of happiness is certainly not all sunshine, but it is the good stuff. I am hoping this piece makes you think a bit more deeply about happiness for you and your family.
School Board 2024
At the AGM on 21 February, election and endorsement of the 2024 School Board took place. I provide the names of the 2024 School Board Members:
President: Fr Michael Romeo
Principal: Simon Mechis
Deputy Principal: Michael Musolino
Chairperson: Ernie Icolaro
Deputy Chairperson: Daniel La Bella
Treasurer: Iolanda Calabrese
Secretary: Tina Caggiano
Staff Representative: Tania Melfi
P&F Representative: Kayla Holding
David Uglesic
Vince Mascolo
Chris Talbot
John Athanasiou
School Picnic, Friday 15 March
The Feast of St Joseph, patron saint of our school, occurs on Tuesday 19 March. A School Mass at 9:15am will occur on this day. On Friday 15 March, to acknowledge this feast, there will be School Picnic at Payneham Oval (for Reception to Year 6 students). Families are welcome to join. A letter, with all the details will be sent home soon.
National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP)
This year, in addition to other services we offer, we have employed a Student Wellbeing Officer, Olivia Barbaro. This is a new position (for which the school has received funding, at 0.2 equivalent). Olivia has completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills) and is also currently studying a Master of Social Work (to be completed this year).
Olivia already is employed at the school, providing support to students as an Educational Support Officer (ESO). ‘The National Student Wellbeing Program’, aims to support the wellbeing of students that contribute to the maintenance or establishment of student wellbeing services in the school.
Nature Playground
The new Nature Playground opened at the end of Week 2. The children are loving the space. A reminder that students are not to use the space before school until a staff member is present (from 8:30am) and after school the playground is not supervised by staff. Therefore, we kindly request that children do not access the space after the 3:00pm bell.
New School Uniform thanks
I’d like to pass on the positive feedback received from the owner and staff of Belgravia Apparel, our school’s uniform supplier; essentially of the patience and respectful dialogue that has taken place by you. In the words of Belgravia’s CEO, “It’s been a pleasure working with the Payneham community.”
Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and Keeping Safe, Child Protection Curriculum
In this Newsletter, I include for you the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy (attached to this Newsletter); and The Keeping Safe, Child Protection Curriculum site for parents and carers (link below).
https://www.education.sa.gov.au/parents-and-families/curriculum-and-learning/early-years/keeping-safe-child-protection-curriculum-information-parents-and-carers
Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
Donation of pancakes
We are now in the season of Lent, which commenced with Ash Wednesday (on 14 February). The day before we observed an old age tradition, ‘Shrove Tuesday’, where traditionally, pancakes are consumed. I express my thanks to Norwood Foodland, as they kindly donated the ready-made pancakes for all our students.
Student Free Day, Friday 8 March
Please note that Friday 8 March is a Student Free Day. Staff will be involved in professional learning on this day. OSHC will be available for the duration of 8 March, if you require this service.
Condolences
I extend my sympathies to:
- Caterina Musolino (Year 1 Teacher) and Jen Mastrangelo (Reception Teacher), on the recent passing of their grandfather, Micuccio.
- The Vatsilas family (Mariah, 6CK and Orlando, 3NZ), on the passing of their paternal great grandfather, George.
Wishing you well!
Simon Mechis
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