2 August 2024
Watching the Olympics over the week reminds us that whilst some get awards so many others strive to achieve and excel just by competing. As such, whilst it was wonderful to start Semester Two celebrating the achievement of our students in so many different areas, I am very thankful for the work of all our students and the effort they have applied to achieve excellence in Semester One. It is always a pleasure to read student’s report cards and notice so many areas of strength. I hope you have celebrated this with your children also and gained valuable insight and understanding into the ways they can continue to improve.
Furthermore, I would like to celebrate the success of the student body as a whole who have received over 3,000 merits in just one semester! Congratulations, RCC students. I am so very thankful for the way you all continue to grow and improve.
Paul’s challenge to us in Hebrews 12:1, however, is to go one step further; to keep working, to endure, to keep running, to encourage one another to strive for the highest reward, just as Jesus did. He says to the Hebrew people who are struggling in difficult circumstances:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge cloud of witnesses to the life of faith, let us get rid of every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.”
It is my hope that as our students begin a new semester, armed with their faith, their families and teachers, and the feedback received in reports they set and achieve new goals that cultivate their faith, character and courageous learning.
I encourage us as a community to continue to recognise that we are our student’s greatest cheer squad, their ‘great cloud of witnesses’, and, as such, continue to help our students not just set and achieve goals for recognition or reward, but for enduring success that overflows into all areas of life, strengthening and encouraging themselves and others.
Good tidings…
Jonno
