We are living through an uncertain time and caring for one another needs to be at the centre of our thinking.
The last 6 months have tested the Australian community and our hearts go out to victims of bushfire, floods and now the virus. Across the world the numbers are still increasing, and the racial crisis in the US this week shows us the need to care for one another even more during this time. The pursuit of wisdom is such an important goal for us now, and particularly for our young people at Thomas Hassall.
I had the pleasure of guiding 5 of our youngest students around the new Admin centre this week. You might have seen our photo on Facebook. We talked about their hopes and dreams for the future, and what they thought about the new clinic and even the virtual tour that was on display in the foyer. They all had an opinion and there was a confidence and optimism in their tone. It wasn’t just about them.
Another small group of Year 3 students wrote to me last week and in a hopeful piece, they asked whether we might be able to plant a tree in the College. Their letter went like this … ’We would like to plant a tree on the oval in the left corner. It would be a banana tree or an apple tree …’ and then signed their names, feeling free to offer their hopes for all who play near the Oval and for the College spaces.
These are important times to think about others, about the world, and about the future. As the week progressed, it was significant to hear from other students and about the larger issues of reconciliation and social harmony. Listen to these 2 strong words of wisdom from older students here at the College.
‘In 1995, both the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flags were recognised as official flags of Australia under Commonwealth legislation. ‘Flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags demonstrates Australia's recognition of First Nations Peoples, promoting a sense of community partnership and a commitment toward reconciliation. The Thomas Hassall community would only grow stronger if we flew the Aboriginal flag promoting a sense of community partnership and a commitment towards reconciliation that is important in our world and encouraging our motto ...A More Excellent Way. It would be respectful for us to show the same love, acceptance and equality if we were to have one fly…(Kate, Year 10)
Just yesterday after such a disappointing week in the United States and such a terrible incident in Minneapolis, a Senior School student and teacher wrote to ask that we all stand together to express our sadness and solidarity and to reach out to others with these words:
‘The past week has marked a profound world event with the death of George Floyd, an African-American man in the United States of America. He was a man who was unjustly killed in broad daylight in police custody. This event has sparked conversations from various racial communities, of all ages. This event has awakened a significant response and marked the need for justice and equality in our world. This week on Tuesday, there was a viral hashtag, #blackouttuesday which trended as a global response for solidarity. At Thomas Hassall Anglican College, we have a number of African, Indigenous and students from other heritages who we deeply appreciate and value for all they bring to our College community…’ (Jessica, Year 11 and Mrs Howard, Year Advisor).
I am pleased to support the hopes and dreams of our young people, especially in the cause of others. We also know, at Thomas Hassall, that in times of anxiety and uncertainty, that God is present and real.
Psalm 37 has also been talked about this week and is a lovely help for all of us: ‘…do not fret because of those who are evil … commit your way to the Lord; trust in him …’
Let’s continue to grow in wisdom and understanding and in caring for each other, especially right now.
