School Chaplain

House spirit to a tee 

On Wednesday, I was thrilled to wear my new Cowan House staff polo at the Interhouse Swimming Carnival. Every staff member wore their House polo shirts—representing Gandhi, Lincoln, Mandela, and us, Cowan House — the new kids on the block! Wearing the school polo symbolises our spirit of valuing and embracing all students, whether they are gifted in academics, music, art, dance, or sport. As a school chaplain, I enjoy discussing students’ strengths, favourite subjects and co-curricular activities. I encourage and support their hopes and dreams, beginning with their unique god given gifts which I try to recognise and celebrate with them.

On Wednesday, we celebrated our students with strong swimming abilities, and the atmosphere at the Claremont Aquatic Centre was electric. The cheers, the students’ buoyant spirit, and the sense of unity made the day truly special. But we also celebrated the many other talents within our school community—our musicians, dancers, artists, and designers, as well as our basketball and netball players. Among us are also avid readers and eloquent debaters. This diversity of gifts truly enriches our community and it is what makes this school and being School Chaplain so very special.

The Bible explains that Christ Himself granted a variety of gifts: some apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to build up the Church, the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–13). No gift is given in vain. A time will come when that gift brings more than imagined. Did young Austin Applebee foresee his swimming gift one day helping him save his family from drowning? Did Edith Cowan realise her kindness would lead her to become Australia’s first woman in Parliament, inspiring a university and school Houses named in her honour? Today, a statue stands in Perth to commemorate her legacy.

Let us encourage our young people to use their gifts. Your gift can become your legacy.

Fr Gift Makwasha

School Chaplain