Chaplain's Message

As we reflect on the past months, much has taken place in our lives, at school and in our world. There has been an element of despair on occasions, coupled with glimmers of hope as life ebbs and flows like the orchestra in the great performance hall.

We need to remind ourselves of the Round Square motto taken from Gordonstoun School under the great German Educationalist Kurt Hahn – “Plus est en vous”, There is more in you than you think. As we challenge our students to live up to it, may some of it rub off on us too!! 

I borrow a story from the Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, Jonathan Sacks from “The Front Page” by Christopher Gleeson SJ. 

He relates the story of the great violinist, Itzhak Perlman, who suffered from polio as a child and lived the rest of his life in a wheelchair. On one occasion he was performing a violin concerto when, with an audible ping, one of the strings broke in the first movement. Everyone waited to see what he would do. With astonishing skill, he continued as if nothing had happened, playing through to the finale using only the remaining three strings. The applause as the concerto ended was tumultuous, not only for the performance but his coolness in continuing undaunted. As the noise subsided, he was called on to say a few words to the audience. Sitting in the wheelchair, a living symbol of courage, he spoke just one sentence:  

“Our job is to make music with what remains.” 

He goes on to comment that to make music with what remains, we need to ensure that our living is in harmony with our beliefs! 

In other words, we need to be authentic – as we seek our calling in the world may we keep our eyes fixed on the Conductor and when we flounder:  remember, He is there to guide and direct. 

Wait for the Lord: 

Be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!       Psalm 27:14 

God bless - go safely into the term and look after each other! 

Sarah Pollitt

College Chaplain