By Ms Natalie Smith, Acting Deputy Principal

Looking out of my hotel window, I watch the City Cat traverse up and down the Brisbane River. I observe joggers, people on scooters and cyclists moving along the banks of the river and children playing in the Captain Burke Park, under the iconic Story Bridge.  At low tide, a muddy little beach forms on the inside bend of the river where people bring their dogs and throw sticks and balls for them to chase.  Small white crested waves, wash from the City Cat as it passes by. At night-time, the Story Bridge lights up to celebrate Bastille Day with red, white and blue and of course, proudly red for the final State of Origin match. (I guess maroon lights were difficult to find!)  I am glad to be back in Queensland, glad to be home.

Observing the world from the hotel window has been my daily routine in hotel quarantine for the past 14 days. Not quite the view or the start to Term 3 that I had been anticipating, but an unexpected opportunity to observe, ponder and practise acceptance of things beyond my control.

So just a little about me, by way of introduction. I grew up in Daisy Hill, in suburban Brisbane. Travelling to Japan on exchange during my high school years started a life-long love affair with the country, people, culture and language. This has seen me travel to Japan many times over the years for study and to catch up with friends. As a teacher of Japanese I was able to introduce my students to this wonderful country and culture leading school trips to visit sister schools and welcoming students from Japan.

After working in schools in and around Brisbane and after many years of working with senior students I became interested in their post-school education, particularly tertiary education. At the end of 2015, I was given the opportunity to work at The Women’s College, at Sydney University, which I have thoroughly appreciated. It has a given me a deep understanding of what Year 11 and 12 students need to appreciate the difference between school and university and the challenges that they often face when they are a long way from home and from their support networks.

However, after five and a half years in Sydney, the yearning to be closer to family, and to re-engage with students in the secondary context, has seen us return to Queensland and come to Warwick. I look forward to working with the students and staff at Assumption College; to engaging parents and the wider Warwick Catholic community.  I am looking forward also, to exploring the local area of Warwick and the Southern Downs. Please be sure to come up and to introduce yourself when you are next at school. I am excited to be seeing you all, in person, soon.

Natalie Smith