Deputy Head of College News

Each year in Term 4, in every school community I’ve been part of, I find myself wrestling with the same thing.

This time of year in schools is filled with celebration. We gather for awards, presentations and special occasions to recognise students who have achieved highly in academics, sport, the arts, service or leadership and so many other areas. These moments are important, and they deserve to be celebrated.

For every student whose name is called, there are many others who may never walk across a stage or receive a public award. That does not mean they are any less gifted, any less valuable, or any less important.

Leo Buscaglia once wrote, “Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” It is a quote I like to use with students as a beautiful reminder that talent comes in many forms, and not all of them are easily measured or publicly recognised.

Some gifts are obvious. They appear in results, performances, sporting achievements or positions of leadership. Others are quieter. They are seen in the student who notices when someone is left out, who shows kindness without being asked, who includes others, who perseveres when learning is difficult, who is humble in success, generous with his time, loyal to his friends, respectful of others, or courageous enough to keep trying.

These gifts matter enormously.

In a Marist community, we are called to see beyond achievement and to see the whole person. St. Marcellin Champagnat believed deeply in the worth of every young person, and in the importance of being present to them with simplicity, care and a genuine sense of family spirit. That means recognising that every young man in our care is known, valued and loved, not because of what he achieves, but because of who he is.

Some gifts and talents may be celebrated on a stage; others may only ever be noticed in a classroom, in the yard at break time, at home, among friends, or in the quiet way a young person chooses to treat others. Their value is no less important because they are quiet. In fact, it is often students with these qualities who embody our marist virtues of humility, modesty and simplicity.

As we celebrate those students who receive recognition at this time of year, I hope we also remember the many young men whose strengths may never appear on a certificate or trophy. Their kindness, humour, resilience, compassion, honesty, loyalty and generosity help shape the character of our College every day.

That is part of what marist family spirit asks of us: to make sure every young person feels that he belongs, that he is seen, and that what he brings to the community matters.

Every student matters. Every student is known. Every student has something to offer.

Perhaps one of the greatest things we can do as parents and educators is help our young people discover their gifts, value them, and find ways to offer them generously to others.

Because ultimately, success is not simply about what we achieve. It is about who we become, how we use the gifts God has given us, and how those gifts are shared in service of others.