By faithadmin
I had the pleasure of walking through the Year 7 project-based learning (PBL) expo on ‘Strong Women’ that was open to our parent community for an afternoon. It was no surprise that the vast majority of strong women chosen by students to celebrate during this learning expo were mothers and grandmothers.
Of particular interest to me was a handwritten story book in which a student had penned responses from their mum to some pretty hard-hitting questions like “What is your biggest regret” and “What would you do differently”. As I looked around the multiple rooms of displays, I realized there were hundreds of years of life experiences being shared through this expo. Struggles and triumph, joy and sorrow, travel and adventure. When I read the honest and vulnerable responses of this mum to her daughter’s questions it made me think how special this connection between mother and daughter must be.
Some elements of school life are quite easy to measure. The sporting competitions, the grade on a report card or getting the part in a play or musical ensemble. But there are also moments much more difficult to measure and I think I read some of those at the expo, when 12 and 13 year old students shared stories from decades of life, lived by mums, grandmothers and other women who have poured out of themselves into their children. To all the women who have shaped our lives, honestly, you mean the world to us.
Through all these stories was woven the power of relationship and connection. Even imperfect lives resonate with the power of connection and community.
With the Christmas season upon us, what a great time to reflect on connection and community. The creator of our world sent his son to bring peace, forgiveness of sins and restore relationships. We are loved by a God who knows us and desires to walk with us. The Psalmist David wrote “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away”.
I pray that this Christmas season as you spend time in connection with those you love that you also know the presence and love of a God who knows you and thinks the world of you.
Tony Longmire
Deputy Head of Secondary School – Wellbeing