Lighting the Path
I am honoured and humbled to respond to the invitation to serve Hume Anglican Grammar as Deputy Principal. During the three years that I have been employed at Hume, my experience has been one of daily delight. I was warmly welcomed in 2019 and I have continued to enjoy wonderful relationships with students, staff and parents.
What an incredible gift it is to be entrusted with educating young people. I don’t take this gift or this responsibility lightly. The symbols presented to me during my recent commissioning are a profound reminder of all that we are trying to achieve and, indeed, all that we have achieved even in the School’s short history.
As I look to the School’s past, to our origins and formation, I reflect on the pioneering spirit of the passionate people who took a risk and worked incredibly hard to form this school. I also reflect on all of the people who have continued to build the school; not just its buildings, but its culture, its community and its students.
For you are why we are here – to build you up, grow and develop you. Each of the adults in your lives has been to school, and each of them undoubtedly has their own opinion of what a school education should look like. But here at Hume, we are clear-eyed about our mission. It is revealed to us through our motto: ‘Wisdom through Christ’. To be wise is not just about acquiring knowledge. It is about building up both our knowledge and experience in order to make good judgements and decisions and to have agency over our own lives.
Even our youngest students in Prep already have enough wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong and wisdom is what we’re trying to achieve; to ensure that you our students flourish in your capacity and confidence, to learn enough about your world and yourselves by the time you complete 13 years of schooling, to go forth and realise your dreams, whatever they may be, and to acquire a mindset that draws on the idea that we are not born so much with rights as we are with obligations; an obligation to serve past, present and future generations, in our school, local community and globalised world.
But our motto is not just one word that guides us; it has three words, ‘Wisdom through Christ’. In the Christian bible, Jesus himself is named ‘teacher’ some 60 times. And his teachings underpin our School values, shaping our work and our identity, providing us with a foundation that this is what we will collectively achieve with you and for you.
The teachings of Christ are many, but those which we hold dear in this school and about which we are resolute, include humility, gratitude, respect, dignity, hospitality, integrity and love. In our motto, ‘Wisdom through Christ’, our founders have given us a strong base to build our school, and firm guidance for those of us privileged enough to lead our school.
In an ever-changing world, we stand firm in our purpose that we will nurture you in your growth to ensure that you have all of the qualities – the wisdom through Christ – that will enable you to live fruitful and rewarding lives. As long as you know yourselves, you will be able to navigate the challenges of life.
I am grateful to be given the duties of Deputy Principal and to continue my service to the School. I am grateful for our history, our community and the clear purpose that we have both now and in the future. Psalm 119 in the bible says of God: ‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path’. I look forward to walking with all of you, with Christ’s wisdom lighting our path.