WHAT DO YOU VALUE?

The values of Emanuel School are ingrained into every part of its being. Growing up as an Emanuel student since Year K these values have helped mould me into the graduate that I am today. Reflecting on my time at this beautiful place, the school values of compassion, justice and community stand out to me most. Every day when I walked into the gates of Emanuel, I felt welcomed and at home. I felt like I belonged, that I could be myself and that I was cared about and capable of making a difference. These feelings of acceptance and belonging are what is so special about being a student at Emanuel.

Emanuel’s values of justice and community were clearest to me when I was privileged to visit Villawood Detention Centre in 2020 as part of the School’s engagement with refugees. I met some of the most lovely, warm, and strong people seeking asylum in Australia. This experience was extremely confronting as I tried to grapple with these people’s harsh reality, how many of them were stuck in detention indefinitely, and how all of this was happening to innocent people in my own backyard. Upon reflection, I was able to recognise how Emanuel’s values of justice and community continue to push the boundaries for its students, allowing us to see a true reality of what our society looks like and how we can work to create justice when injustice is so present in our society today.

Part of creating a compassionate and respectful environment at Emanuel is due to the role modelling by Emanuel’s fantastic teachers. My teachers were some of the most supportive, kind and encouraging people I had ever been lucky enough to meet. They love what they do and genuinely care about each of their students. Whenever I walked into class, I was welcomed by my teachers’ big smiles and so many times they went above and beyond, including marking drafts at crazy hours, taking the time to chat if they could see I was not ok and making class somewhere I felt cared about and respected – a place I wanted to learn.

I have found parts of school really challenging. I struggled with my mental health, which has at times made school a difficult place. I have been so lucky because people at school saw this and went out of their way to help me be OK, as well as teach me to persevere through hard times. My mental health challenges alongside HSC have been hard, but with frequent mentoring from a trusted teacher and extra care and support from my teachers this difficult journey was eased. I received so much kindness, empathy, compassion and support, all of which I am so grateful for, and this has allowed me to finish school with a huge smile on my face.

I feel as if many of Emanuel’s values have become my own. These values help me feel ready to take on the challenges of the world and ready to make a positive and lasting difference to society.

By Lily Berger Class of 2022