Flourishing Together

‘But blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit’  Jeremiah 17: 7,8

The prophet Jeremiah offers a beautiful image of what it is to flourish. I wonder, when asked to suggest signs that a Christian school is flourishing, what you might say? What comes to mind when you think of flourishing students, flourishing teachers and flourishing parents? 

Undoubtedly high-quality learning might be a first thought. Students and teachers learning together where academic results are important, but where other aspects of learning are equally valued.

You might think of parents, empowered in their role as the primary educators of their children.

I imagine a shared purpose would figure prominently in answers too. A vision that centres on Christ as Lord of all. A community that collectively seeks to honour Him in all relationships, practices and curriculum so our students aspire to do likewise both now and into the future.

As the final works are completed on the Senior Secondary building, perhaps a school that has access to physical, technological and human resources comes to mind. But out of abundance, one could also suggest a flourishing school gives generously of its resources of time, experience and knowledge to others beyond its gates.

I ask this question because not only is it front of mind within my role as Director of Christian Foundations, but also because a consistent theme has emerged that is close to my heart. It may come as no surprise that a key indicator of a flourishing school is where priority is placed on the well-being of their communities - students, staff and families flourishing together. Recent survey results from McCrindle research include well-being among the six components of a thriving school.

As we attend to the key indicators of a flourishing Christian school, I offer these thoughts for your consideration and prayers:

• The well-being of students is inextricably linked to that of educators. Where there are more flourishing educators, there will be more flourishing students
• There is a positive connection between flourishing outcomes and students being ‘others orientated’. Across all levels, our students enjoy helping, serving and caring for people and God’s created environment. This grounds them in purpose-filled, authentic, kingdom work
• Swinburne University research identified a relationship between resilience and spirituality. Spiritual formation was especially linked to flourishing outcomes for students now and when they graduate. No surprises there!
• Just as our Primary children have been reminded this term, collective care for our community’s well-being encourages us to choose kindness, patience and courage every day, in every situation. It goes beyond a program, event or policy.

Well-being is something greater than the absence of illness. Likewise, flourishing is something greater than an absence of difficulty and pain. We can never guarantee happiness for our children, or our community, all the time. Jeremiah reminds us that, in difficult seasons, the fruits of flourishing are dependent upon the roots of well-being.

My deep hope is that our central teaching of 'love of God' and 'love of neighbour' firmly places our well-being as a demonstration of love for one another.