A New School Year

The Revd Peter Laurence OAM, Chief Executive Officer

It all began many months ago... preparation for the new school year. Staffing, new buildings, curriculum planning, timetables, orientation; all in readiness for the arrival of our students.

Among the key groups of people preparing for the new school year are the various student leaders. Most 2023 student leaders were appointed late last year and now commence their year of ‘servant leadership’ with much enthusiasm and expectation.

Last October, the Year 11 student leaders from all Anglican schools were invited to spend a day with Archbishop Kay and others at Wollaston, exploring the nature of leadership. These young people are on the verge of entering society as adults and finding their place within a complex world. What a privilege for them to be in a position to engage directly with the Archbishop, to explore issues of faith and life, within the context of their leadership roles.

Each year, both the Anglican Schools Commission and the Western Australian Anglican Schools Association undertake a number of activities to support schools. Only a few days ago, we held the annual Induction Day for Teachers new to Anglican schools.

More than 120 teachers attended the day at Wollaston, with a dozen teachers from more distant schools attending by Zoom. It was good to be together in person, after last year’s ‘Zoom only’ offering. Attendees were introduced to ‘all things Anglican’. For many teachers, this was their first formal contact with the Anglican Church.

At the beginning of a new year, I am reminded of the wonderful New Testament passage from Romans 12:3-8:

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 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. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Welcome to all staff and students new to Anglican schools in WA this year, and every blessing to those tasked with the responsibility of leadership in 2023.