I have often thought about what I would be writing now in the last newsletter for the academic year. Normally I would be saying things like have a great break, safe and happy holidays, be careful and be good for Mum and Dad. Those things are still very important, but like the staff and I, for all of us our holidays are going to be very different. We can all still have fun and take opportunities that perhaps we would not have done such as explore Bali more, take short day trips more often instead of one big holiday and just doing things a little differently.
It is no secret that 2019/2020 has been a very tough year for many of us. We have in our time of need, supported each other physically and virtually. Through all of our sadness and the frustrations of Home-Based Learning, our fortitude and resilience has shone through. Our community has strengthened as a result of all that happened to us because it has been shared. Everything that has happened has affected us all and not just certain pockets of people. Thank you to you all for the unwavering support in this uncertain time.
I want to particularly thank the Class Parent Reps for this year. It has been nice to spend some time with you all and hope that this will continue to get better each year. Getting all that information out and helping with clarification and translations is certainly something that I cannot do without.
It was wonderful to have Pak Ben join us mid way through the year and he has added much to our team in Primary and Early Years. I use the word “team” in the most generous context I can. We talk about teams and teamwork and often lose sight of the true meaning of that. This is not so in my case. I count each and every member of the EYP/Primary Team as an important player and without them, there would be no team.
We are, however, losing three members of that team at the end of this academic year. Ibu Jacinta has returned to Australia to semi-retire I believe. Jacinta had already made her plans clear before Christmas time and we were therefore able to recruit early. Ibu Wulan as you know has been absent for this academic year and will not be able to continue as the BIPA teacher. Lastly, Pak Made Parwita the Art specialist at Dyatmika for so long, has resigned and will be spending time with his family and taking care of his mother. From us all, we thank you for your dedication and the years of service that all three of you have given to this community and the way that you have helped shape its foundation and development.
Have a safe and happy holiday everyone. Believe me when I say that I have everything crossed so that I will be able to see you all again very soon. We all miss the children and want them back as soon as it is safe to do so.