Assistant Principal 

Mission

Tim CHAPMAN

Assistant Principal  | Mission

The Starfish Story

- Adapted from ‘The Star Thrower’ by Loren Eisely

An old man was walking along a beach one morning after a storm. 

The shore was littered with seaweed and driftwood. 

In the distance he could see someone moving like a dancer. As he approached the figure, he saw that it was a young girl, picking up star fish and throwing them into the ocean. 

“Young Lady, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean” he asked.

“The sun is going up, and the tide is going out, and if I don’t throw them back in, they will die,” she replied.

“Look at this beach!” he laughed. “It goes on for miles. There are thousands of starfish, you can’t possibly make a difference.” 

The girl listened politely then looked along the stretch of sand. Then she bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea. 

She turned to the man and smiled.

“I made a difference for that one.”

At St Mary’s, students are encouraged to make a difference in the world. This can be a daunting prospect, especially when we face a constant barrage of painful news in the media, such as war, flooding, and illness. Such large scale events can sometimes make us feel helpless. Making a difference, however, doesn’t need to change the entire world overnight. Through simple acts we can an incredible impact on those in our immediate community. A smile, a compliment, a word of encouragement, even just being there can change someone’s day. How will you save the starfish?

During Lent, we will be supporting Project Compassion and helping to support some of the world’s most vulnerable people and, there will be further opportunities for students to partake in outreach activities throughout the year. But there is no need to wait. Everyone can reflect on how they can brighten the lives of those around them. Many humble acts can lead to profound outcomes. As American anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

Warm Regards

Tim Chapman

Assistant Principal, Mission