Respecting, honouring, uplifting one another
An unsolicited email from a book publisher appeared in my inbox the other day. There is certainly nothing unusual about that. Publishers are commercial businesses wanting to sell their wares and schools are potential customers. What was unusual about this particular email were the products I was being encouraged to purchase. A series of books which would teach our students respect for others.
Schools have always – in partnership with parents – taught students the importance of respecting others; it is part of the unwritten curriculum. Developing citizens who are tolerant, accepting of others and fair-minded helps create a society where people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds can live together in harmony. But to be confronted by the notion that respect for others is an ideal that now must be explicitly taught through carefully selected resources saddens me.
Yet should I be surprised that this day has arrived? Our young people are surrounded by examples of rude, boorish behaviour. World leaders deem it appropriate to post unsavoury tweets about those who have upset them while minor celebrities share, in ugly, vindictive language, their opinions of perceived opponents. Little wonder impressionable teenagers believe it acceptable to intimidate and humiliate others, preferably behind the walls of social media so that they do not have to actually acknowledge the hurt they have caused.
In this climate of unfiltered, arrogant disregard of others, I am continually humbled by the behaviour of our students. They are respectful to their teachers and each other. They acknowledge mistakes and are quick to restore friendships. They encourage the dispirited and welcome strangers.
In his Gospel, Mark exhorts us to love our neighbour as ourselves and this commandment is at the heart of our relationships at St Peters. It is a joy to see our students live this each and every day and know that in a world which delights in tearing others down, we have a community that, though God’s love, seeks to build one another up.
Sue Grotherr
Head of Secondary School
