Chaplain’s Note

In this week’s assembly, we took the opportunity to thank Mrs Marquet for leading our school over the last year. It is not a responsibility she sought, but an example of her belief turned into action. Ideas echoed in our Centenary Hymn.

The final four lines of which are a prayer:

Give us new hearts and open hands

We ask for rejuvenated hearts of generosity, hopefulness and humility, when it is too easy for our hearts to be hardened by the calluses of misfortune, frustration and ambition.

We seek open hands rather than clenched fists or fingers grasping tightly onto the things of this world.

that we might serve, yet shy from fame,

Equipped with such hearts and hands we will better live and lead in service of others without the need for accolades and public admiration.

to strive to be rather than seem,

We strive because integrity is always aspirational, a constant character choice not an achievement.

and glorify your holy name.

When we live this way, we honour our neighbours and our Maker, whose image we bear and to whom we pray.

As Simon Sinek, a leadership consultant puts it, “If we say and do what we actually believe, everyone will know what we actually believe. It’s a handy little thing called integrity”.

John, the brother of Jesus and leader of the church in Jerusalem after Jesus’ ascension to heaven, warned against the thought that faith and action could be separated.

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?” (James 2:14)

“But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” (James 2:18)

Integrity is a whole lot easier if we live with authenticity. When who we are and what we do are the same thing. This is the heart of our school motto.

Mrs Marquet believes in Cranbrook, and so, when asked, took the action of setting aside her normal and much-loved role, in the best interests of the stability and continuity of our community. Mrs Marquet also believes in the Lord Jesus, who sets us all an example of servant-leadership that is prepared to make sacrifices for the sake of others, and so she was prepared to tread, no doubt with some trepidation, and yet, faithfully in his footsteps, trusting in the simple but life-changing prayer, ‘Thy will be done’.

We have much to be thankful for in the legacy of leadership through service set for us here at Cranbrook by our staff, senior students, School Council and our parent community. When we see renewed hearts and open hands, a passion for authenticity and generosity, a desire to serve rather than be served, we are all inspired and encouraged, because we recognise that these are the fruits of true community, lived out by people who love their neighbour as themselves.

As Jesus said, after sharing the parable of the Good Samaritan who acted just like this, “Go and do likewise”.

Rod Farraway
Chaplain