Churchill Avenue News

As we near the middle of the term, things have really ramped up, if that is possible. Our senior students are in the final rounds of SACS as they complete their final 5 weeks of course work. The past week has seen the Year 8 students enjoying their medieval incursion as they learn about times past. Also, this week after months of rehearsals, the College production of “Chicago” will open. All the students involved are to be congratulated as are the team of staff involved under the leadership of Mr. Damian Bernardo. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their commitment and efforts in providing our students the opportunity to perform. Well done!

There are a million other things happening along with the day-to-day educating of the students and I thank all staff involved in these activities and wish them and the students all the best in their endeavours.

In this week’s reflection I share a story I read many years ago, that I read from time-to-time to remind me of the need to be conscious that every interaction, every word, or gesture can have a profound impact on the person we are dealing with. This is especially important for us teachers as the precious people we deal with daily are the adults of tomorrow. Each and every day we help shape and form these young people into the person they will become through our interactions. We should never forget the privilege nor the responsibility we have to these young people, their parents and to the wider community. I witness each and every day acts of kindness and care demonstrated by the staff here at Caroline Chisholm Catholic College and I truly believe that the students placed in our care are very fortunate and the world will benefit from their works as they set about forming our students into honest citizens and people of good Christian values. The seeds we scatter will blossom for all to see. Enjoy the read.

I share this story for a number of reasons, one is to remind us of the need to be conscious of how we deal with people because it will have an impact, especially our teachers, and a second is to ask ourselves: How many of us would notice a simple good deed such as the one described in the story, and how would we respond?

My reflection is driven by the increased propensity of individuals in our community to focus on the negative things they perceive, appearing to fail to see all the good that happens around them. My concern is based on the numerous communications I receive from all different members of our community, both within the College community as well as from members of the wider community. Whilst every now and then I receive positive ones, I am far more likely to hear from someone that has an axe to grind, wanting to tell me when I or another member of the community has failed in their eyes. Sadly, the trend of late is for schools to receive far more of these rather than the positive ones.

In recent times as the College has navigated its way through a very difficult situation, and in connection with this I have received numerous emails, some sharing their appreciation and their support for how we have handled the situation, but unfortunately these have been far outweighed by letters of concern or criticism. Whilst I understand communication can be driven by emotion, frustration and fear informed by perception, I do wonder, as people pen their communication, do they ask themselves how their email or letter is going to be received and how it is likely to impact on the individual or group targeted.

I can say the supportive and positive emails I received have assisted getting through a very tough time. To know that there are parents in our community that are grateful and supportive of the measures we have put in place is reassuring. These types of emails are not common and are far outweighed by emails highlighting instances when we have failed, or our students are making less than favourable decisions but all the letters and emails I receive did get me to thinking and pondering some questions.

Why does society have a propensity to focus on the negative? How many acts of decency or good in the world are going unrecognised? Why is it that we as a society are less likely to acknowledge when something is done well, or someone has done a good deed? Why is it that we have a newfound tendency to be outraged, or to take offence and then want to make sure our frustrations and feelings are made known to the world?

These questions are not easy on to answer, as we will never know or witness all the good that happens in our world. This is especially true given there exists a tendency in our society to only want to witness and recognise the poor behaviour that occurs and seldom take the time to see the lovely gestures that happen all around us every single day. Reporting in the media is a perfect example, as many reports are far too quick to point out the failings of an individual or an institution and very rarely highlight the positive acts or virtues. The Catholic Church is one such example. Some would argue rightly, the churches failings should be highlighted, but are the media too quick to focus on the atrocities of some individuals, deserved I would suggest, whereas, nowhere near as quick to highlight the good works of the church for which there are many. The same can be said of our politicians and our sports stars who often receive warranted condemnation of the media when they ‘stuff’ up but never seem to have their good work recognised as readily. Why is it that as a society we tend only to see the worst in people?

I think if we focused on those in the community who regularly do the right thing there may be more incentive for our young people to do the right thing.

Throughout the Gospels Jesus regularly taught about the Kingdom of God and what we needed to do to bring it about. I was reminded recently of one such teaching, Matthew 25:40-45

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Teaching our students the art of bringing God’s kingdom to life is of the utmost importance, if we are to bring our young people to their full potential. Attaining an understanding of the need to treat all people with the respect and dignity they rightfully deserve is a God send. Whilst doing the right thing should be done not for the recognition or the accolades but just because they know it is the right thing to do, I do believe we would benefit by highlighting the good more often.

In the story, the store owner went to the young boy’s aid without knowing if anyone was watching or expecting anything in return. He fed the poor, whilst maintaining each or their dignity through his trading. This is an example of the way we would hope all the students in our community would act.

I often wonder if we saw Jesus in every person, we encountered each day would we behave differently, because it is not always easy. We meet people daily who challenge our values, who make us feel uncomfortable who are difficult to be present for, but would that change if we knew they were Jesus? My challenge is for all in the community to ponder this question and to ask ourselves what drives us to feed the hungry, to clothe the poor or to set captives free?

God Bless,

Robert Brennan

Principal