As I have watched my sons complete school and transition to life after school, it has been with great stress on my part. Will they survive, or even thrive? Do they know how to cope in the real world? Can they think for themselves and be independent. Can they chart their own course? Will they make wise choices and be safe? Will they be influencers who seek to impact and change their corner of the world? Will they be happy and fulfilled?
By the time I’m experiencing this sense of panic I have had 18 years to teach, shape and inspire my sons in preparation for life, but have I done enough?
We as teachers, experience those same feelings every year as we pass students on to the next grade. Are they prepared? Have I done all I can? As a school we have spent many hours discussing what we want for our students. What does the ideal Avondale School graduate look like? What characteristics and attitudes will they possess? How will they impact the world?
We hope for so much for our students and we work from the Early Learning Centre to Year 12 to incrementally and strategically prepare each student to graduate with the skills to succeed in their chosen pathway. As with all skills, these essential life skills require practice, feedback, coaching and time to develop. Students also need a safe environment to develop; a space to try, fail and move forward. As we work in partnership with families, our goal is that each student discovers their God-given passion and purpose, builds their skills and seeks to serve and impact their world in their chosen sphere. Here is our list of characteristics of our ideal graduates. Which of these traits do you see as most important? Which traits are most strongly evident in your children? Which traits will require the most effort for your children to develop? How can you support your child to build their skills?
As each student graduates from Avondale School, we look forward to seeing how God uses their lives to impact our world.
Mrs Deb Cooper
Principal
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