With all that is happening in the world, we have to count our bright spots each and every day.

I read this great quote this week about strength growing in the smallest of moments:

Conversations will not be cancelled.
Relationships will not be cancelled.
Friendship will not be cancelled.
Love will not be cancelled.
Music will not be cancelled.
Reading will not be cancelled.
Self-care will not be cancelled.
Hope will not be cancelled.

May we lean into the good stuff that remains.

The Principal 'family' is really something special - thankyou to those of you who have been connecting with each other via phone, text, email and 'social' zooms.

Keep that momentum going - find time to laugh and have fun. Remember - all storms pass.

Every day at 11am, most of us are jockeying for a position to hear the daily update Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant offer. Our greatest hope is that the ‘numbers’ are on the decrease, in particular those who are active in the community.

The anxiety about the unknown and the ‘how long’ is the answer we all seek. We can all acknowledge the frustration, the limitations, the concern and heavy load the Principals, leaders, teachers, support and administrative staff are carrying in all school settings. The Level 4 schools and the lockdown LGA’s across NSW both in Greater Sydney and in Regional Centres have responded with agility and purpose. The health and safety of family, friends, colleagues and our communities remain at the forefront of our minds. The constant agility and uncertainty have continued to bring about many challenges for us all.

EVERY school across NSW needs to be alert to the Public Health Orders and be vigilant in reading the latest information provided by NSW Health. The Situation Report (SIT REP) is the SOURCE OF TRUTH. We are not to respond to or send out correspondence or advice unless we have the SIT REP in front of us. We are reminded by the DoE to communicate out information to our staff and communities using the suggested wording.

We were fortunate to have information recently PRIOR to us hearing it in the media – we were provided with an EMBARGOED media release until 11am on that day. Georgina Harrisson sent it to both NSWPPA and NSWSPC for the Principalship to hear the information first. At 10.54am both Craig Petersen and I were called to say the media had intercepted a Principals communication to their community about the announcement of the lockdown. NSWPPA Executive are working REALLY hard with our DoE colleagues so that we are the first to be informed and in doing so we are creating a relationship of trust. Can I ask for your continued support in this matter.

Minimal staff on site for many colleagues has been problematic yet capably managed by the Principals in our schools – remember YOU know what is required for your site – pick up the phone to your DEL and explain the ‘why’ and how’. Some Principals are unable to go on site and this in itself it is taking its toll on some of our colleagues as they live outside the 5 LGA’s. This action is to minimise transmission.

A very special thank you to the Executive, teaching, support and administrative staff who live in the LGA’s and are supervising the onsite students. It is also timely to thank the Principals living in the LGA’s who have extended support to colleagues’ schools at this uncertain time. One thing is for certain, we are seeing some of the greatest examples of kindness – human spirit is the anchor that keeps us optimistic and hopeful.

For many we are in the 5th week of lockdown – it matters not where you are in NSW you need to be vigilant and prepared – as we can see the Delta variant does not distinguish. We continue to encourage our communities to take great care and stay at home. We all have a part to play in getting back to ‘normal’ – the new normal.

This week, we will hear about restrictions for the next two weeks – we can anticipate some remaining the same and perhaps others being introduced. Some communities will see the easing of the restrictions currently in place. The only certainty is change. NSW Health will advise and so the information will be delivered to us in due course.

All communities are feeling the strain of this outbreak – we are all in the storm one way or another – think about how you are feeling and recognise how full your battery is. We are in a time of relational leadership – WE are the anchors for the community and for our staff – celebrate the bright spots daily with your teams and NOW is the time to deepen your collegial network. The human spirit is resilient, strong and agile – WE’VE GOT THIS – slow down and connect with your families, friends and colleagues.

Take care and stay safe

Robyn