Connecting with community
Mrs Janet Stewart | stewartj@mbc.qld.edu.au
There are few things so pleasant as a picnic, eaten in perfect company
W. Somerset Maugham
Community is fundamental to human experience. Being part of a community gives us a sense of belonging and pride, and often reminds us that we are inextricably linked to something bigger than ourselves. On Friday night at our Twilight Picnic to celebrate 120 years of Moreton Bay College, we were in ‘perfect company’ as we united to create a palpable sense of what it means to be part of the Bay family and honour the legacy of learning entrusted to us all by the Greene sisters.
The Twilight Picnic gathered 953 members of this community on our main oval to enjoy some fun family games, be entertained by our talented musicians and vocalists, savour the company of friends, and rejoice in the new connections fostered with families just beginning their Bay journey. This level of support is a wonderful reflection of the sense of community which abounds at MBC.
Among the attendees, it was fabulous to see families of current students, current members of staff, ‘old girls’, past staff and some members of our Board. Many in attendance expressed their thanks for the opportunity to come together at such a safe gathering, uniting the College after a year when so many of us felt isolated, unable to engage in school life as we have done in the past.
It is exciting to be part of a community of people who share a passion for working together to ensure our girls enjoy an outstanding student experience, giving them a firm foundation on which to build their future. Having this bond and shared purpose builds invaluable relationships, affirming our College Values of Engagement and Teamwork, helps us achieve common goals and shape respectful daily interactions.
Our strategic plan identifies the significance of community in the life of a young person – it does take the village to raise a child - and so promotes such involvement. Moreover, a growing body of research confirms the benefits of building a sense of community in a school. Students in schools with a strong sense of community are more likely to be academically motivated (Solomon, Battistich, Watson, Schaps, & Lewis, 2000); to act ethically and altruistically (Schaps, Battistich, & Solomon, 1997); to develop social and emotional competencies (Solomon et al., 2000); and to avoid a number of problem behaviours, including alcohol and drug use. (Resnick et al., 1997).
Supportive relationships lie at the heart of this community and they are cultivated at events such as the Meet and Greet opportunities, Parent Information Evenings, Parent Teacher Conferences, P&F Meetings, Parents Rep meetings, and are fostered at other more informal interactions on the sidelines at sport or when we gather to marvel at the musical, dance and dramatic talent of our students. We welcome our parents to be part of the life of this school, and in the months ahead we hope that this can happen more frequently and safely.
The Twilight Picnic exemplified the best of MBC community. Today we received the final folder of photographs and below are some great photos which capture a community enjoying (in the words of the College song written by Mary Slater in 1946) ‘the happy hours we spent when work was done’. It was indeed a ‘pleasant picnic’.
Finally, may I extend my heartfelt thanks to all who attended and my gratitude to our amazing musicians, vocalists and Music Staff, Grounds, and Facilities staff. The consensus among the gathered throng was that this event must become a start of year ‘tradition’ as it captured a palpable desire to connect among our community.
References: Educational Leadership, March 2003, Volume 60, Number 6, Creating Caring Schools
