As our students journey through their junior and senior secondary years, it’s natural for questions about the future to arise: What am I good at? Where am I heading? What is my purpose? These are big questions…and they rarely come with quick or easy answers.

At MECS, we believe that every student is uniquely created by God, with gifts and a purpose that unfolds over time. Their journey is not a race to the top, but a process of becoming; of discovering who they are in Christ and how they are called to live.

For some students, school (and life) can be extraordinarily tough. Learning may be challenged by a disability. Understanding social norms might be filtered through a neurodivergent lens. Motivation may be impacted by mental health struggles. And for some, cultural identity adds beautiful complexity to their daily experience. In a world that often measures success by grades, awards, or popularity, we want to remind our students and families: purpose runs deeper than performance.

Purpose is about discovering who God has made us to be, and how we can use our strengths to serve others, grow in character, and live with meaning.

One quality we can nurture in our young people is grit: the ability to persevere through challenges, to keep going when things get tough, and to stay committed to long-term goals. Grit isn’t about being the best. It’s about being faithful, resilient, and willing to grow. It’s the quiet strength that says, “I’ll try again,” even after a setback.

A powerful example of grit in the Bible is Nehemiah. Tasked with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he faced opposition, criticism, and exhaustion. Yet he remained focused on his purpose, grounded in prayer, and committed to the work God had placed before him. Nehemiah didn’t give up…he leaned in with faith and determination. His story reminds us that grit is not just about inner strength, but about trusting God through the process.

This is the kind of resilience we hope to cultivate in every Purposeful Learner at MECS: students who are not only curious and capable, but also courageous and committed.

Purposeful learners understand that learning is not just about achievement, but about transformation. They embrace challenges, reflect deeply, and grow through both success and struggle.

We see this spirit in our students:

The one who keeps practicing their instrument, even when progress feels slow.
The one who studies hard for a subject they find difficult, rather than giving up.
The group who keeps rehearsing for a production, even when they’re tired or things go wrong.
The one who turns up every day, despite the inner turmoil that rages in their mind.

These are the stories worth celebrating.

As a school community, we are committed to recognising all forms of success: academic, creative, practical, relational, and spiritual. Whether your child is excelling in maths, building with their hands, performing on stage, or simply learning to bounce back from disappointment, their growth matters. Their journey matters.

To our parents: thank you for walking alongside your children with patience and hope. Keep encouraging effort over perfection, character over comparison, and purpose over pressure.

Together, let’s help our students uncover not just what they can do, but who they are becoming.

Karissa Esselbrugge

Head of Student Services

MECS Matters

Head, Heart, Hand

Newsletter 4, Term 2 · 19 Jun 2025

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