From the Chaplain

Welcome back to school, to Term 3 and to the second half of the year. I hope you all had a good break from the rigours of school life. I was speaking to the staff this week about the need for “rest” in our lives. Not just the sitting on the couch doing nothing type of rest but being able to switch off from certain responsibilities or roles that we might have, even if its momentarily. A place where you can be yourself without any expectation or agenda. I hope that our community, as busy as it can be, can be a refuge of rest for those who belong to it.

Community Initiatives

Thanks to all those people that have signed up for our Monday Food Delivery Program. If you don’t know what I am taking about or would still like to sign up please click here to get more information. There are still quite a few spots available for the rest of this term and you can volunteer as little or as many times as you like.

I was able to deliver all of the trackies, hoodies and blankies during the holidays and they were all delightfully received by a wide range of welfare agencies. We often have the opportunity to give out these items personally to people in our local area, sleeping rough and doing it tough. Our annual socks and undies drive will be coming up later in the term if you would like to start preparing for that.

Pre 2020, before Covid, we had a program where I would take out a small group of Secondary School students during the school day just before recess to hand out home made baked goods and other food to a neighbouring community centre in Woolloomooloo and those living on the streets. It was very popular with both students and clientele but unfortunately had to stop because of the obvious restrictions. I have decided to resurrect the program and would like to start it up again this term. It is on a volunteer basis and students will need to sign up using a specified link. I am planning to go out at least three or four times a term. I will be speaking to students about this initiative in chapel next week. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

The SCEGGS Podcast “Walk The Mile” Episode 76 The Difficulty of Talking About Myself with Me and Ian Narev

Last term I was asked by a parent and SCEGGS Board Director, Ian Narev, if he could interview me on this podcast!! I was surprised by my own reaction as I started to get a bit nervous. Worrying about what I was going to be asked, how would I come across, have I got anything interesting to say. It was a good insight into what its like to be on “the other side”. If you are interested, it’s basically about me: my history, how I came to be doing what I do and the stuff that drives me. And of course, more of those stories which you may or may not have heard before. I hope it’s not too self-indulgent but it was good to stop and think about my life for a moment. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Please do note that some people might find some aspects of this podcast confronting and distressing as it discusses sensitive matters . If you are concerned by some of the content or would like to talk further, please do reach out to one of the counselling services below or contact me.

Kids helpline: 1800 55 1800
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511
Parent Line: 1300 1300 52

And a reminder that we are published on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other popular platforms so you can access it easier from your preferred device. I always welcome your feedback or any ideas you may have for further episodes. You will find each podcast as they are produced in this newsletter and on the other platforms as well as our website.

Rev. Garry Lee-Lindsay
School Chaplain