Faith and Mission

Matthew 22:39 ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

During Semester 1, the Year 9 students were discussing the topic of ‘finding ourselves.’ Through investigating what this topic was about, we participated in various activities throughout Terms 1 and 2, which included our Reflection Day, Pastoral classes and our Unplugged Days. Our teachers introduced us to journaling where we wrote down words of support to ourselves, so whenever we are feeling low and doubtful of ourselves, we would take out our journal and look to the words we wrote.

Our cohort was also fortunate enough to listen to a motivational speaker, Nikki David. Nikki said that it took her years to find her true self and find a sense of belonging in the world and within her life. She spent years doing various jobs and hobbies that she liked, but she never felt full. She wanted something more. This is when she started motivational speaking. Nikki found her voice and spoke on behalf of many girls and women. Nikki visits schools all over Victoria to promote the idea that no individual is alone and showed us how to be positive about everything and ourselves.

Nikki talked to us about being comfortable in your own skin, to always embrace each other, to embrace ourselves (as we have only one life and need to make the most of it), not being mad at ourselves and hating the way we look, but to be grateful and kind to our bodies. One of her lessons focused on understanding that everyone is living in different worlds so we should never judge and hate on someone that doesn't fit our standards of ‘normal.’ Nikki’s words sank deep into the Year 9 cohort's hearts. Her words made us feel safe and loved, she bonded with us. As she was once a teenager herself. Nikki was able to connect with everyone in a way that some kids may not have thought was possible.

Another big topic she brought up was the butterfly effect. She stated that one small comment, one small compliment may have a large impact on someone's life and we don't even know it. This can then cause a chain reaction, and the person who received this compliment would pass it on to someone else. This is a small gesture that anyone can do any time of the day, and it creates a loving and comfortable environment. Nikki taught us that we should never be uncomfortable being ourselves and to surround ourselves with supportive and caring people who always take your feelings into consideration, to never feel shameful about your body and treat it with care. 

Journaling was a way for us to express ourselves in ways we never thought or felt before. Doing this activity helped us see things differently, and even better, positively. We were given separate journals to write letters to our bodies. ‘Dear Body’ was what we started with, and we thanked our body for every skill and flaw it has given us. 

This activity was more of a personal perspective for students between them and their mindset on things. Other activities included:

• Writing a ‘Detox Diary’, by expressing positive thoughts on paper. 
• Writing detox sentences, eg… ‘I am enough’, ‘I am strong’, ‘I am beautiful’, 
• Finding inspirational quotes from role models that we admired. For instance, ‘The greatest glory in living, lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall’. -Nelson Mandela. 

Overall, these activities were to empower and encourage us to find our true selves and to do so in the simplest of activities such as, sitting down, opening our journal and just writing down all our thoughts, doubts, feelings, about our life. It is such a wonderful, peaceful process to do, and it just heals your soul and mind. 

Nikki taught us all to be positive, to never judge others and to always be grateful for the fortunate things and people you have in life. It is always important to understand that we are all so lucky to be going to school and have a great education system, where we have the support of teachers, year level leaders, teacher helpers and friends. Be fortunate that we all have loving care takers and guardians. Marian is a school that takes everyone's feelings into account. The teachers work hard to make sure the lesson plans are suitable for everyone’s learning methods and styles. We hope that this is something you all take on board. 

Lisini Rajapaksa and Angel Brown 

Year 9 Students