Religious Education
Our College motto ‘Fortiter et Suaviter’ means 'Strength and Kindliness'. We are blessed to be part of a community that lives out this motto in their day to day, and are constantly encouraged by the simple acts of strength and kindliness demonstrated by members of our College.
Kindness is often equated with being nice or pleasant, as though it’s mainly about smiling, getting along, and not ruffling feathers. It seems a rather ordinary virtue. However, the Bible presents a more robust picture of kindliness.
God Himself is kind, it is part of who God is and how He relates to us. Kindness is not in any way a sign of weakness: God is not weak, but He is kind. God’s ultimate act of kindness was to send his Son, Jesus Christ, to this world to save us. God calls and equips His people to be kind. The virtue of kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5. As kindness is part of who God is and how He relates to us, so kindness should be part of who we are as God’s people, and how we relate to others.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
The circumstances of the past two years have often caused us to focus on the struggles that we are facing as individuals and think inwardly, rather than considering those around us. The Religious Education team put forward a ‘Kindness Challenge’ to the College community towards the end of Term 3, designed to inspire students and staff to be thoughtful and kind to others.
Community members were challenged to a ‘Random Act of Kindness’ each day.
DAY 1
- Clean your room and sort some clothes to donate to a charity
- Write a letter to a friend or family member to give some encouragement
- Do a household chore without being asked
DAY 2
- Make dinner for your family
- Go on a walk and collect rubbish to dispose of it properly
- Send an encouraging message to a classmate
DAY 3
- Make an encouraging card for a neighbour
- Bake something delicious for a neighbour
- Send an encouraging message to one of your teachers
DAY 4
- Reach out to someone and ask if they are OK
- Write a letter to an elderly relative or friend
- Smile at people on your daily walk
DAY 5
- Pay for the coffee of the person behind you at the cafe
- Thank someone who has inspired you
- Leave an encouraging post-it note in a public place
Kindness is powerful and a simple, small act can change someone’s day for the better.
Kindness is no small thing. It bears fruit both in our lives and the lives of those around us. “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, prosperity, and honour”. Proverbs 21:21
Let us encourage one another to continue to model kindness, within our families, our College community, and beyond.
Jane Ward
Assistant Principal:
Learning and Teaching