Dear Families and College Community
As we enter the Term Three break, I share with you my speech from yesterday’s assembly. We wish all of our students and staff a restful break. At the same time, we acknowledge for many of our senior students, this period will be one of preparation for exams, and for our staff, they will take the opportunity to “catch up” on assessments, planning and preparation. This is the reality of the profession.
Today, I stand before you to speak about a College value that lies at the very core of our faith and educational mission: compassion.
Compassion is a word we often hear, but it is not just a word; it is a fundamental principle that guides us in our journey of faith and learning. As an MRC person, it is a value that should be woven into the very fabric of our lives, shaping our thoughts, words, and actions.
At the heart of compassion lies the understanding and empathy for the suffering and needs of others. Let’s be honest, there has been some suffering this term.
The word “compassion” itself has its origins in the Latin term “compati,” which means “to suffer with.” This underscores the essence of compassion: the ability to connect with others on a profound level, to share in their joys and sorrows, and to stand alongside them in times of need.
Compassion is about recognising the inherent dignity and worth of every person, regardless of their ethnic background, beliefs, or circumstances. We have the coast’s most diverse community at MRC.
Compassion is not just a feeling; it is a call to action. It compels us to reach out to those who are hurting, to lend a helping hand to those in need, and to stand up for justice and equality. An action such as the senior students who slept out, as well as those supporting teachers, last Friday night for homelessness.
In our College, we strive to instil compassion as a way of life. We teach one another to see Christ in others, to love our neighbours as themselves, and to be instruments of peace and reconciliation.
We encourage each other to volunteer their time, talents, and resources to make our community and the world a better place. Well done to those students who have been leading our clothes drive today. This is a great initiative and a tangible expression of compassion, love and justice.
And what about our Evatt Cup 2023 students who have been debating important issues such as human rights? Signing your certificates last night was a great opportunity to reflect on the goodness in you as individuals, as well as our College.
In the words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Compassion reminds us that even the smallest act of kindness can have a profound impact on someone’s life.
Where have you seen the small acts of kindness this term? Where might you like to provide them over the next few days at our College, where people are tired and are ready for a rest?
Compassion also extends to self-compassion. It’s important for all of us at MRC to be kind to ourselves, to forgive our own mistakes, and to nurture our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By practicing self-compassion, we become better equipped to extend compassion to others.
Let’s make sure we all take a good rest these holidays, and for our seniors, in between study for exams.
To our staff, in the words of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers, “To educate children, you must love them and love them all equally.”
This profound statement encapsulates the essence of compassion in education. We must love our students, not just academically, but as whole individuals with unique needs and aspirations.
We, as staff, must extend this love and compassion to our colleagues, as well as to our broader community. You, too, deserve and need a well-earned break. Teachers can be criticised for having more holidays than other professions; however, loving our students, colleagues, the College and our field of expertise can be tiresome! Those who share this belief have no idea of the level of investment offered by committed staff.
To conclude, as we strive to cultivate this value in our community, let us also remember that we are all works in progress, constantly learning and growing in our capacity to be compassionate, even when this seems difficult. Our Marist Regional College community is called to be a beacon of light for compassion, a place where love and understanding always triumphs over all.
Thank you for listening, and I pray for you all as we enter the Term Three break for 2023.
With compassion
Mr Gregg Sharman
Principal
Inspired by the Marist and Mercy charisms, we invite all to a faith relationship through formation, and an excellence in holistic education.