Taking on the role of Head of Student Development, I had to ask myself some important questions. ‘Who are we at Emmanuel?’ and ‘What makes Emmanuel stand above or distinct from the rest?’ In answering these, I have discovered that Emmanuel Christian School families represent a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Each family brings a unique perspective and ultimately enriches and contributes to the whole. In my role, I recognise the importance of honouring our community by ensuring that we develop the ‘right culture’ at Emmanuel. As it is written in Romans 12:4-5:
‘For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.’
Remaining true to our mission and vision, our culture being distinctly Christian, is set to become a vibrant, diverse and celebratory community.
Recognising our diversity helps us to acknowledge that our unique skills and gifts are what enable us to serve one another. Each of us, from Kindergarten to Year 10, possesses the personal power to influence the people and situations around us.
“What makes Emmanuel stand above or distinct from the rest?”
Step by step, we see this thought process morph: What abilities do we possess? What opportunities do we have to exercise these talents/skills? And then, where does our responsibility start and end? When do we choose to step up and out exercising our influence on the people and community around us? Our communal influence is not only about ability, opportunity, or even responsibility, but what our lasting influence will be. Thus, our legacy will, with time, be measured by the effectiveness as a united but diverse community.
On the ground, in our school, this plays out in our welcoming culture. We are a place where students can find their purpose and become better equipped to be the positive influence they were created to be, full of light and life. Together, our school community can shine as we understand that transformation will occur as we grow independently and yet communally, through serving one another.
John Aldridge – Head of Student Development Secondary