Chaplain's Chat

Welcome back to all, and welcome to our new families as well. We are so glad to have you join us here in the DE space. We have an amazing team working to encourage, help and guide you. How was your holiday break? We had some beautiful days, and some days that were perfect for the couch and a book or movie too. 

We have so much to look forward to this term -  we have our All-In Assembly, Book Week, our Athletics Carnival, a change in the seasons, and many other exciting things too. What are you looking forward to? I asked a couple of my students recently “What are you looking forward to this term?” One reply was “the end of it”. The student and I had a chuckle about that answer. Another is a tad jealous of the Year 12s as they start to wind down their year to finish up shortly. I reminded them that it will be their turn one day.

In wonderful news, we have Mrs Jesse White joining our DE Wellbeing Team, one day a week as a chaplain. We are so blessed to have her joining our team, and there are now three of us! Jesse comes with experience in church youth groups, and is working as a chaplain On-Campus too. As chaplains we get the privilege to meet with, listen and chat with students and hear their stories. We are always looking to see what resources are available to help us support, guide and encourage our students. In doing some research recently I came across the Dolly’s Dream website. You may have heard of it. Here is an excerpt from their website: Dolly’s Dream is changing the culture of bullying by raising awareness, promoting kindness, and providing support for young people and their families. Spreading kindness is a lovely thing to try and do. Our words can uplift and also wound people. I think it's important to take a moment to think about what we say, and how we say things. 

By being kind and loving others, Jesus set the greatest example on how to treat each other. In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus left us with wise words and the greatest commandment of all: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’"

Loving others, looking out for others, and putting others before ourselves can be hard, but can also be rewarding. It is also important to be kind to ourselves too.  I enjoy walking alongside our students to support them and listen to them, and I actually get to be encouraged by them also. I especially enjoy the Lunch Clubs I am able to attend, where students come along to meet others, and join in with the activities that are available each day. It is a real blessing for me. They keep me honest and humbled, and I get to learn things too. I enjoy watching friendships form, and students encouraging each other. If you are a new family to DE I recommend joining in at 11.40am each day to meet other students and staff too.

I would like to leave you with a blessing from Numbers 6:24-26: ‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

Mr Wiseman, Mrs White and myself are here to listen and encourage you!