Farewell 2023
The anticipation of starting the 2023 academic year seems a long time ago, doesn’t it? Remember January when you were preparing for your new class, or new colleagues, or new processes, or curriculum? Remember stress around the explosion of ChatGPT, which coincidentally celebrated its much-publicised anniversary last week (although earlier and less profiled versions had already been around for a few years)? Remember hoping to have a year without COVID? Or staff shortages?
Now that we find ourselves on the threshold of a break from the ebbs and flows of the year, take some time to reflect on how the year has been for you.
What can you find to celebrate?
Who has inspired you?
How have you sustained yourself?
What new learning have you had?
What’s the best thing you’ve read, or heard, or thought?
What would you like to do differently in 2024, and why?
What would you like to keep doing in 2024, and why?
How did you decide what to keep doing and what to do differently?
Who has mattered to you, and to whom do you matter?
As we come to the end of this year, it’s important to take time to reflect. Our profession is busy, demanding, and so important to the life of our community, our state, and our nation. From the early childhood educator responsible for some of the youngest lives in our community, through our primary and secondary schools and colleges, to our tertiary and lifelong learning communities, ACEL members have made significant contributions to thousands of lives throughout 2023.
Thank you. Now is the time to rest and be refreshed.
As I write this, my neighbour is hosting a visit from the chainsaws of the local group of SES volunteers. Their buzz is a reminder that, as we close out the year, many communities are in clean up mode after yet another devastating weather event in south-eastern NSW. Weariness has returned to communities who have experienced this far too frequently over the past few years.
And yet this time of the year offers significant hope. In our multicultural community, the richness of celebration in multiple non-faith and faith communities offers much to us at this time. Hanukkah, Christmas, Yule, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day – the choice is rich for both non-religious and religious persuasions alike.
May you, your family, those you love and who love you, and your community know peace and hope at this time. There is much that confronts and constrains us, especially at this time. As educational leaders, it is our calling to offer visions of noble, benevolent, and dignified humanity. May this season of rest refresh us to return in 2024 committed to this great vocation.
Thanks to those who have served our branch throughout the year, both the retiring committee and the incoming committee. We thrive because of your generosity of time and energy. Your service is greatly appreciated.
2024 has rich opportunities for us all. See you then.
Paul Kidson
ACEL NSW Branch President