Last night I was in the audience for the show-piece concert of our arts festival: Te Wairua o nga Mahi Toi, the Spirit of Creation in the Arts. And once again I was forcefully reminded of the wonderful gifts our students and teachers have been given.
When I think about it, I realise that I should not be surprised. I say often enough that God made us, and that God does not make junk: each one of us is wonderfully gifted. That makes me realise that every school in the country - every school in the world - has an equivalent range of talents available. If the students are given (and take) the opportunity to show them.
So not only was I proud of our students and teachers as I sat there; I was also proud to be a leader in an organisation that sets out to discover and display the gifts God has given each of us. Not every school is able to do that as well.
In some cases, schools focus on bringing out other talents. In some schools the focus is more narrow - on academic success, for instance. The nice thing about the excellence we saw at the concert is that these students are able to have their cake - and eat it! They are able to shine in performance - but their NCEA results also shine!
Earlier this week I was able to use the gifts of our students for something else entirely. Sadly, we had a couple of incidents of students bringing alcohol to school (and just a warning: they usually bring it from home). On the other hand, I was very proud of the way junior and senior students supported a student who had become very ill as a consequence.
To make sure everyone got the message about the risks, we asked a Drugs and Alcohol counsellor to talk to seniors about the dangers of alcohol, and I asked a group of our year 13s to talk to year 9 and 10. And they were great.
I went to the junior assembly, and their message was not to bring alcohol to school, and that there is no point in protecting your friends and keeping them from getting into trouble if they are seriously damaging themselves.
A growling at home or a suspension at school are nothing compared to drowning in vomit! Teacher and Ambulance Officer Kylie Beckers then showed students how to put someone into the recovery position if they might vomit. The message was forceful without being emotive or over the top.
The gifts on display that day were responsibility, communication, and compassionate leadership. And it was just great to see our seniors accepting the responsibility without any hesitation. This week I have had reaffirmed that the future of our school and our community is in good hands - the hands of gifted and responsible young adults ready to make their mark in the adult world.
