It was lovely to see all of the grandparents who visited the students yesterday. We pushed it back this year, knowing that the weather was going to be a little warmer for everyone. Thank you to all of the grandparents who travelled a long distance to be with us. Thank you also to the school choir who prepared a few pieces to share and to Kate Macdonald, Ryan Spencer and Mr Patrick Corr for supporting them.

Congratulations Ms MacDonald!

Last night a number of staff went to see Ms MacDonald receive the Boundless Award at the Recognition Awards Mass as part of the 2019 Catholic Schools Cultural Festival. The award goes to an artist that, through their medium, helps students, staff or parents engage in an exploration of their spirituality and faith. Ms MacDonald is a very worthy winner of this award. It was a pleasure to celebrate this with her. You can see many of her pieces from the past two years hanging around the school. 

'the heart of God'....gossip?

I was reading a book recently that sidelined into a discussion on 'gossip' and its dangers in a community, whether that be a community of work, family or friends. It can destroy relationships, reputations and careers faster than anything else. Everyone is tempted to gossip.

Most of us think that gossip is saying something 'bad' about someone else when that person isn't there. But what if we say something good? Is that also gossip?

According to Roget's dictionary gossip is "idle talk or rumour, especially about the personal or private affairs of others". Some synonyms for one who gossips include "chatterer", "talker"., "gabbler", rumormonger", "blabbermouth", "busy-body", "chatterbox"...the list goes on. When we're talking about one's reputation I sure don't want to be thought of as someone like this!

A strict definition of gossip is talking about another person when he/she is not present. However, I resonate with the use of the word 'idle' in the definition above. I see gossip as idly talking about another person, when they are not present, so as to alter how others think about that person. It is 'idle' because it a conversation that just sits there, doesn't produce anything, changes nothing about a situation and leads to assumptions and inaccuracies because the person the gossip is about has no opportunity to clarify, confirm or respond to its content. The results can be devastating for people's reputation, well-being and for relationships in the community.

One of the significant problems with gossip is that it breaks trust. If you know someone who gossips with you, it is highly likely they can gossip about you with someone else. They become hard to trust.

Another problem with gossip is that it leaves one feeling worse, not better. When we feel frustrated we think that 'venting' releases pressure. Gossip is not venting. We are usually left still feeling frustrated, not better.

The bottom line is that unless our conversation is solving a problem or planning a conversation we know we need to have then we are gossiping. It serves no purpose.

I'm realistic. I know that gossip happens, including in our community. It is always a temptation and sometimes a long held habit by people who no longer realise they are doing it. However, gossip does not belong in a community whose mission is 'to be on earth the heart of God' and where we teach our students 'respect others' and 'respect self'.

If you are ever drawn into a situation that appears to be gossip then I encourage you to:

• add nothing, without responses the conversation can't keep going
• be open and curious, it's likely we don't truly know what is happening for people and have made some inaccurate assumptions
• act, if it is important then go to a person in authority or to the person about whom the gossip is spoken and talk to them. If this doesn't seem appropriate, then it is probably not
• be a force for community building, focus on the positive, celebrate what is good and build strong friendships and relationships at school that help both your family and your children.

Let's continue to build a strong community of positive and supportive relationships, setting an example that leads our students and children to become positive, active, community builders of the future. Gossip breaks relationships. United together we create a very, very bright future for St John the Apostle Primary School.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers in our community for this Sunday. May it be a wonderful family celebration of your commitment and love to those you care for. Thank you for everything you do to suppoort your child here at St John the Apostle.

Have a beautful weekend!