Near the end of Term 3, many students with social media opened their phones in the morning and saw the graphic and horrendous viral video of the assassination of American MAGA political activist Charlie Kirk. His murder immediately became international news and a trending topic of discussion on the internet. What deeply concerned me at the time was the response to this man’s death – the internet makes things weird and does not bring out the best in humanity.

The number of social media posts online celebrating his death, laughing and joking about it, dancing to the video, or making comments about it being deserved and best for his young children etc... spoke to an inherent sickness and brokenness within our society. At the time there was lots of chatter around the school about this issue, so I wrote to students about how we respond graciously and thoughtfully to the suffering of others, how we don’t celebrate the suffering others, and how we engage with kindness and compassion.

When students returned at the start of Term 4, I thought this was a good opportunity, with all students present, to remind everyone of the type of community we want to be and how we can be people who bring light and hope to those we meet across our lives. What follows are some extracts from our expectations assembly from Week 1 and the email I wrote to students last term.

I told this story from the Bible:

​Jesus went into the synagogue and a man with a crippled and withered hand was there. Some of those who disliked Jesus were there looking for an opportunity to accuse him of wrongdoing, so they watched closely to see if he would heal the man during the Sabbath day. When Jesus saw the man with the crippled hand, he asked him to stand up and come to the centre of the room. ​ Jesus then turned to those seeking to criticise him and asked 'what is the better thing to do on a day seen as holy to God – to do good and to save life or to kill and do evil? To heal someone suffering or to leave them to suffer?​

​His critics were silent and refused to answer him.​

​Jesus was furious with their response. He was deeply distressed at their meanness and spite; that they were so set on their ideas and beliefs that they were unable to consider differing views or see how their thinking was harmful to those who they should care for. So, he said to the man 'stretch out and open your hand'. And the man stretched out his hand and as he did it become healthy and well. Then the religious leaders who hated Jesus immediately left the room and went to find likeminded politicians who would help them destroy and kill Jesus.​ Mark 3:1-6​ (a paraphrase).

At the end of this story, I asked students the following question:

Before he healed the suffering man, which question did Jesus ask to see if the man was deserving of being shown kindness?​

• What political beliefs do you have?​
• What are your views on sexuality, climate change, and vaccinations?​
• How do I know if you are a good person?​
• What's your view on Donald Trump?​
• Have you been a nice person?
• Do you believe what I believe?

The answer is obviously none of the above options. Jesus saw a man in need and extended kindness first – no questions asked, no extra conditions to be met.

My hope and prayer is that students from Calvary model to the world around the very best of what humanity can be and inspire others to be the best they can be. Jesus says this: ‘love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who are nasty and mean to you…treat others the same way you want them to treat you…be merciful…goodness comes out of the heart of the good, and evil comes from the heart of the evil – for the mouth speaks what is from the heart’ (Luke 6). The Bible/Christian faith, also call believers to see the people around them through God’s eyes – and God loved the world enough that He sent His only son (Jesus) to die for it (John 3:16). The example is to love others sacrificially and with deep generosity and compassion.

Loving others, especially those we may disagree with or don’t like is what can make the world better and it takes courage. This is not me saying you have to agree with what others believe/think or put up with viewpoints you personally think are wrong – but, in all interactions we should treat other people with respect and dignity (even if they don’t treat us this way). All people are made in the image of God. So, what to do from here? Strive to treat others how you want to be treated. Remember our College expectations: be kind - be fair - be your best self.

It is my hope that all stakeholders in the College can partner together to raise young people who know that ‘kindness first’ is a world changing principle.

Mr Josh Wilson

Deputy Principal Middle Senior School