School Chaplain

Christmas - Time to Make Someone Happy

At a large school gathering in a school gymnasium, a teacher gave a balloon to every student present, asked everyone to inflate their balloon, write their name on it, and throw it in the designated area. The teacher then mixed all the balloons. The students were then given five minutes to find their own balloon. 

Despite a hectic search, no one found their balloon. At that point, the teacher told the students to take the first balloon that they found and hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Within five minutes, everyone had their own balloon. The teacher then said to the students: “These balloons are like happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own. But if we care about other people’s happiness, we’ll find ours too.”

In a way this captures some of the things we have been trying to impress on our students in chapel this term. The wonderful theme: “Being Welcoming” took us to another level of happiness. I have been encouraged by the laughs, joy, smiles, and happiness I have seen in classrooms, on the stairs, in the recess and lunch areas, in the cafeteria, and in the chapel. I have witnessed students’ eagerness to show love, to give a helpful hand, and indeed to make one another happy. 

By making donations of backpacks and stationery towards the less fortunate students through Anglicare, our students have contributed towards making others happy. During this Christmas, help them to do more if you can. It’s Christmas time, let us all do our best to make someone happy. I wish you all a merry Christmas. To our teachers and students, have a wonderful and restful holiday.

Fr Gift Makwasha

School Chaplain