AROUND THE SCHOOL
Belonging
Ten months at Guildford Grammar School
flies by. It has been a happy time and one of
much learning. It is delightful to recognise
so many more faces. Belonging is important
and takes time - and is essential to thriving.
The School does a great many things well –
welcoming, embracing and generating that
sense of belonging for all.
The Old Guildfordians I have met still have
a strong sense of place here on the campus
and having seen some of the Valedictory
events in October, the students are obviously
well grounded in this special environment.
The emotion of the leavers was touching.
There was no doubt about the love and
belonging they felt for their School.
In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs a sense of
love and belongingness comes just after
psychological and safety needs and although
the level of everyone’s needs differs –
belonging is common to all. This was evident
in the international school in the Middle East
where I worked some years ago. The school
embraced students from over 50 countries
with vastly differing cultures, tradition,
religions, and ethnic backgrounds – it was a
challenge.
A staff of over 400, also from diverse
backgrounds, were tasked to engender
harmony and respect in the community.
Parents too were asked to participate and
each term parents visited their child’s class
and talked about their homeland, culture,
art, traditions and food – always bringing
morsels to taste.
The result was a genuine feeling of
belonging, of being different but the same,
of acceptance instead of rejection, of
tolerance, understanding and a celebration
of the differences.
In the next two years this bond we share will
help us to manage the activity of building on
the campus. The odd frustration of having to
walk around the long way! The noise of the
trucks and dust they kick up. Hammers, pile
drivers, drills and saws will all try us!
But wow! Won’t it be worth it! Our
boarders will have a new home-away-from-
home, providing an even greater sense of
belonging. A place for boys and girls to grow
together, a place to be with their brothers
and sisters, a place more reminiscent of their
own home and one designed to be more
conducive to study, socialising and hosting
their families when in town.
In October we held a symbolic Turning of
the Soil ceremony at the building site which
was blessed by Father Philip in a holy water
ceremony. Students, staff, council and board
Mrs Ilene Aveling
members wielded shovels and tossed the
sand to the applause of family and friends. It
was a significant moment.
We look forward to keeping you informed
of building progress and to encouraging you
to participate in this journey. The Foundation
and the School are funding the major cost
of this fine facility and we will also need the
support of the Old Guildfordians and the
entire School community in coming months –
but more of that next time.
Ilene Aveling
Development Manager
Blessing the site of the new boarding facility.
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