Living with Strength and Kindliness

Our senior student leaders humbled us all with their demonstration of compassion and unity in forming the Solidarity Circle for refugees last week. 

It was covered well in our social media and The Riv also generously covered the event. The attending journalists were so complimentary of our students, expressing that they had not met students as aware and welcoming. Our profession and our parenthood is so often an honour.

Perhaps unintentionally highlighting their honour were a few comments on the Riv’s social media post. That there would be negative comment, we were sure. It’s my intention in the following paragraphs to give due dignity to the people who wrote these comments but perhaps shine a slightly different light upon the feelings expressed for all of us.

Among the ideas and sentiments expressed was one whereby politics and social concerns have no place in our school - that our students should be learning Maths and English instead. Another contributor pointed to our school yard and argued that bullying in the yard should be addressed before refugees. Another argued that most of the students would have been compelled to stand there. All of these points have their place; this is why they are difficult to refute in isolation. Of course, we value academic progress and success; this is why students and teachers are working so hard. Of course, bullying as a dark and damaging injustice needs to be continually addressed from as many angles as we can access, as a priority. Of course, not all hearts and minds are present at any given moment in time for a myriad of reasons. None of these in isolation are beyond refute.

But, in the bright light of all we stand for at St. Joe's; in light of Jesus’ message and our tradition in St. Brigid and Bishop Delaney - we stand for justice, along with all those who came before us in the journey toward ‘the today’ of St. Joe's. In this same and overarching light, all of these objections and their corresponding values are exposed together and they all become part of this one whole. In the light of this justice, we fight every day to instill a love of learning so that we can think clearly and creatively about our future world - this is what Maths and English and all the disciplines are for, after all. In the light of this ideal of justice, we highlight and seek to re-balance the plight of unequal balances of power; in the yard, in our society, in our nation. And, in our efforts, we seek to recognise and include all in our community through exposure to learning through academic pursuits or life experiences.

Is it done perfectly? No, our students exercised their humanity - and by definition, it is imperfect. 

But, it is good enough.

If we waited for perfection before we started to stand together, nothing would ever be achieved in the name of justice. What is humbling about this initiative of our students? That they knew they were shining a light well above all our values here and highlighted every one. 

We are so proud of them.

***Don’t forget!! - Last Day tomorrow for the St Vinnie’s SOUP DRIVE! Make sure your student has some canned goods in their bag for their last opportunity to donate in LM time!***