What a week! A week of lasts for our Year 12s; their last lessons, their last assembly, their last Prayer Breakfast and their last days as a Calvin Christian School student.
I find this time of year hard because I do not like goodbyes but also joyous because we get to celebrate these magnificent young people and all they have meant to our community. I feel privileged to know them and to have been their Head of Year for the last two years. As Winnie the Pooh wisely says: ‘how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’ Year 12, you will be missed and we are fortunate to have been able to journey with you.
Some of our Year 12s have been here since Kindergarten, some have only joined us this year. All have made a contribution. They have made great memories and have formed friendships which for some will last a lifetime. They have learnt a lot of content and a lot about relationships; with God and with others. Their teachers have been great examples of what it is to live a life with God at the centre and have modelled care and grace along the way. Now, it is time for them to take what they have learnt and branch out to the unknown. We wish them every success in their future endeavours and know that through it all they can trust in God to hold them and love them well. Our prayer is that they would know God’s love and goodness, and press into Him in both the good times and the harder times that will come.
“Our prayer is that they would know God’s love and goodness, and press into Him in both the good times and the harder times that will come.”
Before they finish, many of them will sit their exams over the next two weeks. This can be a time of stress for both students and their families; a time where we will all need an extra dose of grace for each other. As I keep reminding our Seniors, they can do hard things – we all have times where we need to work under pressure and exams are just one instance. It is important that they prepare well because when we prepare well, we give ourselves the best chance of performing at our best. It is also important that they look after their physical health through sleeping, exercising and eating well.
And, whatever happens; whether they do brilliantly or are disappointed their worth is not defined by their results. They are precious and loved, created in the image of God and valuable in his sight.
As you go, Year 12, I leave you with this final exhortation from Philippians 4:6-8 -
‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Jane Morrison - Head of Years 11 and 12
