Principal's Ponderings

Little Seeds, Big Growth

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants…” – Matthew 13:31–32

Growth can be a mysterious thing. Sometimes it is slow, almost invisible. As parents and educators, we pour in time, prayer, encouragement, correction and love and we wonder: Is it making a difference?

Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom often begins in tiny, easily overlooked ways. Like a mustard seed. So small. So ordinary. But when planted and nurtured, it grows into something far beyond what we imagine.

That is the hope we carry for our children and teenagers.

Every story form the Bible shared, every encouraging word spoken, every act of kindness modelled at school or at home, these are seeds. And even if we do not see fruit right away, we trust that God is at work. Philippians 1:6 assures us that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Our role is not always to see the fruit instantly, but to plant and trust.

As a school community, we see glimpses of this growth all the time, in a student who suddenly shows courage where fear once ruled, in a quiet child finding their voice in a class prayer, or in a once-reluctant learner discovering joy in the process. These are mustard seed moments. Sacred. Powerful.

Parents, do not underestimate the small faithfulness of your everyday. When you apologise to your child and model humility, when you celebrate effort instead of perfection, when you read one verse of Scripture and share a prayer before bedtime, you’re planting seeds that God waters with His grace.

Sometimes we long for the fast miracle. The big breakthrough. But our God delights in slow, steady transformation. Think of the mighty tree that began as a seed in the dirt. It grew through storms, heat, and time. So too are our children and teenagers are growing, bit by bit, into the people God has made them to be. We are raising adults.

This term, we invite you to reflect on where you are seeing small signs of growth, in your children, your home, your faith. And when you’re discouraged, remember that even Jesus chose the image of a seed to describe His kingdom. The quiet beginnings do not diminish the glorious outcome.

Eugene Peterson called the life of faith a long obedience in the same direction. That is parenting. That is teaching. That is walking with Jesus.

Let us keep sowing with faith, trusting the Lord of the harvest.

With gratitude for your partnership,

Chad Smit