From the Principal
Building Resilience in Ourselves and Our Children
During my time in education, I have certainly seen a shift in the way in which different generations of students demonstrate resilience. We often talk about the importance of developing resilience as a form of coping with the world and all that it brings with it.
What does it mean to be resilient?
In the journey of raising and educating young people, resilience plays a crucial role for our children and for us as parents, educators and carers. Resilience is our ability to cope, adapt, and “bounce back” when life throws challenges our way. It’s not about never experiencing hardship, rather, it’s how we respond when those moments come. This is a life skill that encompasses key qualities such as creativity, flexibility and adaptability. The so-called soft skills referred to within a number of curriculum frameworks.
But what does it mean to be resilient?
Resilience isn't fixed; it grows and changes with our life experiences, the choices we make and the support systems we access. For children and adults alike, resilience is shaped by many factors, including:
Our relationships and support networks
Physical and mental wellbeing
Past experiences and life events
Self-esteem and sense of achievement
Habits of self-care and rest
Our mindset and ability to focus on the positives
Access to resources and external support
It’s important to remember that being resilient doesn't mean we can or should tackle everything alone. Sometimes, even the most resilient individuals need support and that’s okay. Life circumstances, such as illness, loss, or financial stress, can affect how well we cope, regardless of our inner strength. Having a solid basis of support is essential for all of us and is something we should tap into at those critical moments within our lives. For some of us, knowing God is with us along our journey, in the good times and bad, helps us find inner strength and solace.
Helping Our Children (and Ourselves) Build Resilience
It would be remiss of me to paint the picture that resilience is easily built and simple to address. This is far from the truth. Building resilience is a lifelong skill and it begins at home and in our school community. Building resilience is a journey that takes time, patience and perseverance. The attainment of resilience can be described as a marathon and not a race.
Here are 10 simple tips to help nurture resilience in ourselves and our children:
Be kind to yourself - recognise that all feelings are valid.
Accept what you can’t change - and remain hopeful about what you can.
Reflect on your strengths - and how you've overcome challenges in the past.
Practice problem-solving - turn setbacks into learning opportunities.
Stay present - focus on what truly matters right now.
Set realistic goals - and celebrate achievements, big and small.
Build self-confidence by recognising and using your strengths.
Take care of your body - eat well, sleep well, and keep active.
Make time to rest - recovery is essential.
Strengthen relationships - and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed.
By encouraging these habits at home and modelling them ourselves, we help equip our children with the tools to face life’s inevitable ups and downs with courage, optimism and resilience. At Lakeside, we are very much about encouraging and modelling within students a growth mindset so that students learn to see setbacks and disappointments as learning and growth opportunities. We will continue working together with our students and their families to create a supportive environment where every student and every family can thrive.
In Corinthians 4:8,9,16-18, we gain insight into how the Apostle Paul highlights the sustaining power of God to strengthen and support us in times of trial, when our resilience is low and we feel hopeless.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 16 Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17
The Apostle Paul offers a poignant depiction of the trials faced by Christians, particularly those in ministry, while highlighting the sustaining power of God. These verses are part of a broader passage where Paul contrasts the fragility of human vessels with the surpassing power of God (2 Corinthians 4:7). However, they also offer hope, assuring us that God's presence and power provide the strength to endure and overcome. We are encouraged to rely on God’s strength rather than own, finding assurance and comfort in God's unwavering support.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 also offers a profound perspective on resilience, illustrating how faith can transform adversity into an opportunity for spiritual endurance. In these verses, the Apostle Paul acknowledges the many hardships faced by the early followers of Christ describing them as "hard pressed on every side," "perplexed," "persecuted" and "struck down." However, he emphasises that these trials do not lead to despair or destruction. Instead, they become avenues through which God's sustaining power is revealed.
Resilience, in a psychological context, refers to the capacity to recover from difficulties. Paul's depiction aligns with this definition, illustrating that while external pressures may cause distress, they do not equate to defeat. The key to this resilience lies in the sustaining presence of God, which enables us to endure without being overwhelmed. This divine support fosters a sense of hope and purpose amidst trials, reinforcing the idea that challenges are not merely obstacles but opportunities for spiritual growth and reliance on God's strength.
In summary, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 serves as a testament to the transformative power of faith in building resilience. By relying on God's sustaining presence, we can always navigate life's challenges with hope and endurance, emerging stronger and more steadfast in our spiritual journey.
A Prayer for Resilience
1. Invocation and Trust in God's Strength
Almighty and Everlasting God,
In the face of trials and tribulations, we turn to You, our refuge and strength.
As the psalmist declares, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
Grant us the resilience to face each day with unwavering faith,
knowing that You uphold us with Your righteous right hand.
2. Embracing Suffering with Hope
Lord Jesus Christ,
You endured the cross for the joy set before You.
Help us to embrace our sufferings,
knowing that they produce perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3-4).
Let our hope in You never put us to shame.
3. Seeking Divine Guidance
Holy Spirit,
Guide our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
When we are perplexed, remind us of Your wisdom;
when we are persecuted, assure us of Your presence.
Strengthen our resolve to stand firm in the faith,
knowing that You intercede for us with groans too deep for words (Romans 8:26).
4. Community and Mutual Support
Gracious Father,
Unite us as one body in Christ.
May we bear one another's burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
In our shared resilience, let Your love be made manifest.
5. Thanksgiving and Assurance
We give You thanks, O Lord,
for the gift of resilience found in Christ.
Assured that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
will be able to separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
To You be glory forever and ever.
Amen
Mr Robert Tassoni
Principal