Hearts Beat and Break

Hello wonderful Community,

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful weekend with your loved ones.?

One of my favourite parts of the Olympics is learning some of the back stories of the athletes. There are stories of strengths and struggles. Challenges and delights. Wins and losses. We all have a story and our story matters. At the start of the year, I launched our NGS Visible Wellbeing theme for the year, We are all the stories which celebrates the complexity of all our characters and the connectedness of all our stories. Indeed, our lives are enriched by sharing our stories. When we do share our stories the paradox of humanity becomes apparent – we are simultaneously different and the same. While we are all unique, we all have so much in common. We all yearn to be seen, heard and valued and we all have a heart that both beats and breaks.

The Olympics has showcased both the beating and breaking of hearts and it all matters. But what has really struck me over the past two weeks of competition is the human need for real relationships and a deep sense belonging. People need people and nobody does it alone. I have always believed that there is enough love for everyone, and kindness is a contagion so why not be a cheerleader! This is so evident in the countless images of parents and friends supporting their loved ones and encouraging them to be their best. Of course, this cheerleading did not start at the Olympics. It started at the start.?

One of my favourite media pieces, other than the spectacular image of Jess Fox lovingly cradling her sister’s face, after Noemie won gold in the Women’s Kayak Cross, is a post by Mia Freedman simply titled, “All big things come from small beginnings.” The photograph of Nicola Olyslagers who won the silver medal in the high jump made my heart skip a beat. The image of a daughter being embraced and hugged and kissed by her adoring mum is just divine. The caption read, “She will win her first Olympic medal in high jump and become the first athlete to share the podium with a fellow Aussie in a field event.” This photograph left me teary, thinking about the power of love and the importance of our story. Nicola’s cheerleaders didn’t just turn up at the Olympics, they started at the start. Our darling children go from being little people in our arms to being big people doing incredible things, but they do not do it alone. They do it because they are loved by people who believe in them.

Not all our children will grow up to win Olympic gold, but just like the athletes who are competing, all our children will experience wins and losses. Their hearts will beat, and break and they will always need us to cheer them on.

Wishing you all a wonderful week. It is my honour to be a cheerleader for my students. Part of the beautiful heartbreak of being a teacher is that we do not always find out about the future wins and losses of our students. We hold space for their dreams, walk with them on their journey and help to pick them up when they fall. Knowing that we will always be a very small part of their story is very special.?

Sending lots of love, I’m always here to cheer you on. Take care,

Ms Marnie Thomas?