Flourishing
At Flinders, we want our community to flourish. The word "flourish" means to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way. It can also refer to thriving, prospering, or achieving success. Flourishing as a Christian means growing in faith, experiencing spiritual nourishment, and living a life filled with purpose and hope. This involves being rooted in the teachings of Christ, drawing spiritual nourishment from the Scriptures, and living out our faith in daily life.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 says: "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
In this passage, Jeremiah contrasts the person who trusts in human strength with the person who trusts in the Lord. The latter is compared to a tree planted by water, which remains healthy and fruitful even in difficult conditions. This underscores the importance of placing our trust and confidence in God, leading to resilience and flourishing even in challenging times.
At this time of year, I reflect on my garden, especially the lawn that used to be very green. I made many efforts to maintain its greenness without needing to water every single day, but these attempts were unsuccessful. Now, some areas are green while most of it remains dry and dead. Without enough water, the lawn is no longer flourishing. This means my kids can't enjoy that space as much as they did. It's now hard to sit on, there's dust, and the garden is struggling around it. Imagine if I had watered that garden every day. Similarly, our spiritual lives require consistent nourishment from God's word and presence to flourish.
The first weeks of school can be challenging for our students. They face new routines, new teachers, and the task of making new friends to name a few. These transitions can be overwhelming and stressful. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our teachers, our students are not just coping but flourishing. In the primary school, teachers have been intentional about creating a welcoming and supportive environment. They have implemented routines that help students feel secure and confident. They have also taken the time to get to know each student personally, understanding their unique needs and strengths. We have a strong devotional time each morning using a consistent curriculum called God Space.
As a result, we have seen many success stories of growth in our students. They are forming strong friendships, participating actively in class, and showing resilience in the face of challenges. Students who were very shy and anxious, have flourished into confident and enthusiastic learners in only a matter of weeks, thanks to the encouragement and support of their teachers. This transformation is a testament to the power of a nurturing and faith-filled educational environment.
We can cultivate a flourishing life by:
- Deepening our relationship with God through prayer, reading the Bible, and worship.
- Encouraging and supporting one another in our faith journeys.
- Finding ways to serve others.
We are all called to flourish and live a life filled with hope and purpose.
Matt Smith
Acting Head of Primary School
