Beyond The Ashes

As a secondary school principal, I never underestimate the immense and extraordinary impact teachers have on the future of our community and on our young people. Teaching is not like it was, just a mere 5 years ago. It is a highly complex science that has a professional language, an incredible set of skills and is full of boundless creativity. How else would you enliven the hopes and dreams of tomorrows adults? Enter the world of the contemporary classroom, real, connected and life changing. This extraordinary classroom learning journey was truly illustrated at the recent book launch of the HSC Society and Culture project Beyond the Ashes.  The book is an articulate collection of stories, narratives and reflections told through the words of UHS 17-year old’s. 

Each paragraph personifying courageous, compassionate, and honest vignettes of survival, tenacity, and resilience from an incredible group of our community people living through the 2019/20 Black Summer. This is a shared experience of our community, that we all were a part of, how can we forget those dark, smokey skies. The heartfelt launch of this wonderful book, with MUD Singers ‘a cappella’, singing Tread a Little Lighter and guest Author, Journalist and Alumni, Bronwyn Adcock, paying homage to the significant work of our students and teachers, it was a tremendous recognition of the contemporary classroom. This is only equalled by the poise and resonating poem from the book, by one of our own brilliant but humble Head Teachers, Mr. Barry. Get your copy @UHS Front Office. #2021congratulationsYear12 #Brilliant #worldclass

… exerpt from Descent into Darkness by Benjamin Barry

Noise, darkness unrelenting

Pure energy, savage wind, fires spotting…

Hell

Rabid flames licking trees and fenceposts

where are my family…

where am I.

Charred destruction, fallen trees

Noise and anger

An imploding labyrinth.

(Read the full poem in UHS Publication Beyond the Ashes 2021).