Chaplain's Corner

Burning desire for respect

Our School Theme this term is ‘Respect for the Environment.’ This is an important theme given the current global warming crisis in which the world is burning while freezing or flooding in other parts. The United Nations has since declared that we must urgently act to prevent catastrophic climate change. It is also crucial that we work together to look after and protect our own environment – our school facilities, our city and our suburbs. There is so much that we can do – both big and small – to make a positive difference in this space. 

The American Psychological Association in 2017 spoke of eco-anxiety, defining it as “a chronic fear of environmental doom” that is exploding across the world. Then, in 2019, the Australian mental health organisation ReachOut suggested that four in five Australian students report being somewhat or very anxious about climate change, with close to half of those experiencing these emotions on a weekly basis. 

As a Christian school, we take our responsibility to steward the environment seriously. Last term our Student Guild led us in the recycling initiative. This term our Principal, Mrs Campbell, is inviting us to think, teach and talk about respecting the environment – both outside and inside our school. In Term 3 Beliefs and Values, our Year 9s and 10s learn about the environment, with the Year 9s focusing on Aboriginal spirituality and connection to land, while Year 10s learn about climate change.

So, we will look at how we can show respect for the environment from both Christian and Indigenous perspectives. As Christians, we reflect on God’s immeasurable love for creation, that he sacrificed His Son on the Cross, for our salvation (John 3:16). 

Yesterday we welcomed Dylan Collard who led us in celebrating NAIDOC in St George’s Cathedral under the 2024 theme: “Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud!” Together with our indigenous brothers and sisters, we have a burning desire to show respectful connection to land, and to one another, and stand in solidarity in preserving our precious beloved planet Earth. For God so loves this world!

I look forward to seeing our students showing their immense care and compassion for the environment that surrounds them this term to ensure that we love out our Term Three Theme – Respect for the Environment

Fr Gift Makwasha 

School Chaplain