Principal's Update
Each Thursday, Mrs Sylvia Walton's address to our School families in our online newsletter, The Weekly E-News, is published here for our wider community's interest.
A Parent's Love
Although it is nearer Christmas than either Mothers' or Fathers' Day I have just re-read an article published in The Age, 9 May 2009. At this time of the year many senior students, especially Year 12 are considering the future and what to study as well as where and why. Our students, like the vast majority, have wonderful skills and attributes to show their individuality as well as their capacity to continue learning and working. I know how much care, love and support our parents willingly give their children. Such family bonds are clear to all who are part of the St Catherine's Community. The following story of Rory Burnside and his mother, Deb Duncan, is one of a parent and child and their life and love - it is just that Rory is not quite in the ‘normal' range for many things. He does however represent a number of young people who need to find their way regardless of background and skills. His mother is also like us all - doing whatever she is able to ensure her son's wellbeing, resilience and future.
Rory Burnside is burdened with many afflictions; no eyes, a cleft lip and cleft palate, Asperger syndrome and epilepsy.
But "it's not all doom and gloom", the spirited 22 year-old says. When he plays a rollicking rendition of the Beatles' Martha My Dear on the piano, it's apparent he is different in another wonderful way. His long fingers caress the keys, his fair curls shake, and he feels the words more than sings them, in Stevie Wonder fashion.
With Mother's Day tomorrow, we should mention the 22-year old is also blessed with a devoted mother, Deb Duncan. She has put a law degree on hold to help Rory study a music performance diploma at Box Hill Institute of TAFE. She is his eyes, his advocate and his heart.
Rory is also guitarist and lead singer with the band Rudely Interrupted, which last year performed in London, Toronto and the UN in New York. It has been invited to play at a disability arts festival at the Kennedy Centre in Washington next year.
The band, five of whose six members have disabilities, will soon release its first album and will mark Autism Awareness Week and its second birthday next week with a Melbourne gig.
The origin on the band's name becomes apparent during this interview when a student enters the TAFE studio politely looking for some CDs, and after he leaves, Rory comments, "I find it really hard to cope with being interrupted without letting fly."
It's a clue as to why Ms Duncan feels she is the best study assistant for her son.
Asperger sufferers can display poor social skills, lack of empathy and obsessive behaviour. "He can be really obnoxious," she says.
Rory interrupts: "And it bows me down; it really bows me down with guilt."
Ms Duncan continues: "If in class, they take time tuning up, if there are delays, he starts muttering under his breath, "Hurry up" or "We're just wasting so much time".
"And I'm better at avoiding those situations or just dealing with it, with time-honoured tricks that I've learned".
On the plus side, Rory is never late for class or submitting homework. And his music has become his life's purpose. Ms Duncan realised Rory had perfect pitch - he could identify each musical note on a little keyboard - when he was two.
When he moved from the US to Australia at 10, Rory spent several years at Vision Australia's school in Burwood, where music was prominent. At 19, he met music therapist Rohan Brooks, who was forming a band, and Rory hasn't looked back.
"This is just so important to him. He's become a lot more independent," Ms Duncan says.
Rudely Interrupted's "three-week northern hemisphere tour" was the longest he had been away from his mother.
"She's always there when I'm going through hard times," Rory says. "She's gorgeous. She means the world. How she hasn't murdered me with what I've put her through in 22 years, I will never know."
Rory has significant problems, but also skills. Our girls have great skills and opportunities. Families - parents - are always the prime educators and carers. We at St Catherine's know that our work and values support and extend those of the family.
For Thought
When a blind man carries a lame man, both go forward. -Swedish Proverb
It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. -Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness, for it is usually returned. -Mark Ortman
Mrs Sylvia Walton AO
Principal