The desire to be known, to be part of a community where we are recognised and understood, is deeply wired into us.
This was brought home to me a number of years ago when my wife, my two youngest children, and I travelled to Melbourne. Whilst my wife was at her seminar during the day, I took our young son and daughter off to explore Melbourne.
We did some great things together. We caught the train, we went to the aquarium, to the movies, we enjoyed some treats whilst we explored the city. Amidst all of the activity and the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, one comment from my seven-year-old daughter struck me.
“In that moment, I realised that, as much fun as we had been having exploring the city, what my daughter was asking for, what she wanted to feel, was her point of connection.”
We were travelling back by train from another exciting activity. Sitting chatting and looking around the full railway carriage, my daughter was very quiet for a time and then said to me, “Daddy, when are we going to see some of our people?”
In that moment, I realised that, as much fun as we had been having exploring the city, what my daughter was asking for, what she wanted to feel, was her point of connection. In this almost overwhelming sea of faces, she wanted a direct, personal contact. People who recognised and acknowledged her.
“One of the ways that Jesus astounded those that he met was the deep personal understanding that he had of them. It communicated that they were known and understood. ”
One of the ways that Jesus astounded those that he met was the deep personal understanding that he had of them. It communicated that they were known and understood. The woman at the well runs back to her town after an encounter with Jesus saying “come, see a man who told me everything I ever did”. In the Psalms, King David marvels “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me”. Jesus answers that longing to be known and connected and brings us, as followers of Jesus, into relationship with him. Living with a sense of community and connection is critical for each of our students.
One of my challenges is ensuring that I know our students by name and am able to learn about them, their interests and challenges. Our teachers, of course, know them much better and I often say to prospective families, this is a school where your child will be known. It is one of the strengths of our size and helps to create a sense of community. As a Christian school, we seek to live out the reality of this relationship as our young people seek the answer to that deep question of connection.
Scott Ambrose — Principal