Getting beyond ourselves

We all know the challenges of living as part of a community or family. It is easy to get on one another’s nerves, to become dismissive in our familiarity, to forget the needs of others. As winter wears on and we become ill or tired, it can feel as though our emotional reservoirs are dwindling. In this context it is easy to see our patience give way to impatience and frustration.

Throw into the mix, the impact of a bit more winter screen time and suddenly our otherwise pleasant and cheerful young people can start to appear decidedly grumpy. Depending on the disposition of your child, you might expect to see a few more examples of poor behaviour in the lead up to the end of Term. 

What is the antidote to those winter blues and the self-centredness that we can sometimes feel and express when we are at a low ebb? I have seen some great examples of incredibly positive responses from our students this Term and it usually comes when they have opportunity to give of themselves and their time, when they have the opportunity to serve others.

“What is the antidote to those winter blues and the self-centredness that we can sometimes feel and express when we are at a low ebb?”

Last Saturday, we had a large group of students that gave up their evening to serve guests at our School performance. No payment was received and no inducements offered, simply the opportunity to get involved in a school event and to serve others. Our highly successful Walking in the Light event in May drew a huge school community crowd and our student leaders happily volunteered to help on the entrance gate, our Year 9s willingly gave up their time to prepare, cook and clean up a BBQ to raise funds for their sponsor child or to prepare coffees, and our staff and parents contributed their time to make a great event. Our soccer coaches are out there each Saturday morning and training afternoons and our netball coaches have been faithfully supporting our students throughout the Term.

There is no better way to move beyond ourselves and our own narrow interests than to serve others. A critical part of their education is to know what it is to bless others and to sacrifice our time and energy in the pursuit of something greater than ourselves. We can rob our children of this critical learning if we do not give them the opportunity to give of themselves and to serve others.

Finding opportunities to serve is critical for the growth of our young people and the future of our national community. The Cardus survey (2020) of Millennial graduates from schools found that Christian School graduates were more likely to have volunteered their time to a range of organisations with the gap being as high as 14% for church groups but also included helping the elderly, the poor, environmental and political organisations.

Service opens our hearts to others and changes our perspectives on what really matters. Jesus reminded his followers that ‘…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant’ and finished by describing his own life as one of service: ‘for even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’. I am looking for more opportunities for my own children and our students to serve, not fewer. I know many of you are seeking to do the same.

Have a wonderful end of Term break and thank you for your contribution to the life of our School community this Term.

Scott Ambrose - Principal