What brings you joy, real joy?

Last Friday Issoudun Group 3 ventured to Sydney in a day where they connected with our OLSH story, beginning with the first five OLSH Sisters that arrived in Botany Bay, visiting the first OLSH school to be established in the world, namely St Bernard’s Botany Bay and then spending the afternoon with the OLSH Sisters for afternoon tea. In a life where we often prioritize physical and mental health our social health and building relationships is imperative to be healthy individuals. 

Kasley Killam, author of The Art and Science of Connection, discusses the importance of social health and how much it matters as much to our well-being as mental and physical health. Our visit to St Bernard’s Botany Bay, helped our girls to put down their worries, their concerns, their problems, their inhibitions and their technology and they were free to feel real JOY!!! Their actions were guided by love, kindness and innocence of those that they met. To the children of Kindergarten Green and White at St Bernard’s thank you for the true joy that you brought each one of us. Sharing this time with you helped us to find real joy!!! 

“At St Bernard’s I got to meet the little kids and we played lots of new games outside. Some people got “married”, others got invited to parties and some even got a sneaky little kiss!!” Cinzia V

“Felix was a little cutie, he made me feel so happy and he brought great enjoyment to my day. Visiting St Bernard’s has been one of my highlights of Hartzer so far.” Isla V H

“Playing with the kindergarten children from St Bernard’s brought back memories of my own childhood. I met Serene who was so cute, showed me around her school and introduced me to new games. It brought great joy.” Savannah

“It warmed my heart seeing the kids run around and it made me so happy and appreciative to play soccer with the kinder kids at St Bernard’s.” Alyssa

“Going to St Bernard’s was an eye opening experience to see how schools are different in Sydney. It was heart warming.” Arianne

Our visit to St Bernard’s reminded me of my favourite reflection: 

“Do what brings you joy! Do that…….Be that……Share that……Spend more time with that and get more JOY!!! 

Ms Dina Oro
Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing