From the Principal

As Term 3 draws to a close we are called to consider and reflect upon the Term that has been. Throughout the Term our students have shown time and time again their willingness to be the best version of themselves. Our Year 11 students have shown outstanding generosity through their participation in the Servant Leadership Program. These students have given of themselves across the College to assist in a number of varied activities. In particular, these students have worked with students in the Primary School, assisting with literacy tasks including listening to student needs and reading stories to their younger peers.  Some of the Year 11 students have participated in general maintenance and gardening work. Their work in beautifying our grounds has been greatly appreciated by all within the community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Michelle Roberts and Ms Megan Ball for their dedicated work to making this program a success.

Random acts of kindness, I believe, are a sign of God’s love and grace in the world. You cannot begin to understand how good I felt recently when a complete stranger contacted me to praise three of our senior students. Our students were just coming out of the local shops when they saw an elderly woman struggling with her bags of groceries that had broken, leaving her shopping all over the road. The person who contacted me explained that no one stopped to offer her assistance, with cars swerving around her making the situation dangerous. Three of our senior boys, seeing the woman in distress, went straight to her aid, collecting her groceries from the ground and helping her to her car. The boys exemplified the values of love and compassion by helping someone in need and I am proud of the example of humanity they set through their actions.

This leads me to the last section of my Newsletter piece.  Throughout Term 3, our Chapel services have focused on the theme of Love in Action.  When one takes time to view what is happening both locally and globally in terms of abuses of human rights, we are prompted to act with love and compassion. At staff devotion recently I read from Romans 12: 9 - 21

Romans 12: 9 - 21

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

It is a hard lesson for all of us to think about, because we have all experienced times in our lives when we have felt anger and resentment toward others. I recently discussed this passage with a group of senior students and asked them whether or not having negative feelings toward someone gave them a sense of peace and serenity. All students overwhelmingly said no and that failing to show grace and understanding just made them feel worse about the whole situation. God teaches us that hate and anger are counter productive feelings that we carry with us. These feelings burden us with a heavy heart and make us feel worse about ourselves at times. I am just as guilty of this as the next person, but we are reminded by this bible passage to not carry around hate in our hearts, that Jesus loved us unconditionally and showed this unconditional love for us by his sacrifice on the cross. His suffering reflected his love for us and we are called to show this level of unconditional love to our peers, parents, work colleagues and neighbours.

May God keep all of you safe and well over the two week break and I know I speak for all the staff at Lakeside College when I say we look forward to seeing you again on the 3rd of October.

Blessings

Mr Robert Tassoni

Principal