From the Principal

If the buzz term for 2020 was “unprecedented times”, then 2021 has been marked by the “new normal” - a time of digging deep, perseverance, the re-evaluation of what is truly important in our lives, accompanied by intentionality around our relationships. For many members of our community at Redeemer, the need for school as family has never been more important, when for many, our biological families have been separated by the current pandemic.

For our staff, this year has been a time of ongoing innovation, building on the remote learning periods of last year, whilst understanding the deep learning and connectedness that face-to-face teaching brings. As I write this article, for the first time in my thirty plus years of teaching I, along with my colleagues and senior students, attend school each day with a mask covering our faces. It has only reinforced how much of our communication with others is conveyed through our facial expressions. 2021 has also stretched us all to deeply connect in new ways. I asked at the start of the year ”how do we move forward in uncertain times”? The answer was clear; God asks us to live in hope.

As educators, it is ever more important for us to look forward to see where the world is going. It’s difficult for adults and children to look at the times around us and be optimistic about our future. But it is a lot easier to be hopeful. What is the difference between optimism and hope? The difference is subtle but powerful.

Optimism can be seen as a positive emotion. A feeling of confidence that something you want will happen, such as, we will be safe if we just close our borders. But optimism can be a fickle friend. When things do not turn out, it can quickly flip into helplessness, as COVID cases rise.

Adopting hope, on the other hand, can help you through even the most challenging experiences. Hope is more steadfast than optimism. It is born out of faith

in God and the inherent good of others. Choosing to be hopeful gives you strength, regardless of what is happening in your life and prevents you from not giving up. Having hope is more powerful than being optimistic. Optimism and hope are vastly different attitudes. Henri Nouwen explains it like this:

If we think we are the only people who are living in uncertain times, then we would be mistaken. The birth of Jesus came at a time of great uncertainty. Born into a country under foreign occupation, a national census forced his very pregnant mother to travel a significant distance, only to give birth in the least ideal place, and without family around. Shortly after, the young parents and child had to flee the country in fear of their lives and to experience life as refugees for over three years. Once Jesus began his ministry, the disciples were full of optimism that Jesus had come to save the country and would be triumphant as king. In fact, Jesus arrived into Jerusalem with great fanfare. Within days he had been convicted of false crimes, was crucified and buried. It was in these dark times that the disciples came to understand that it is faith and hope that sustains, not optimism. The resurrection brought for all of us, a living hope.

As we continue to live our lives in ongoing uncertainty, I am discovering that Jesus’ followers are called to be people of hope and build Christian communities that are alive with a palpable, vibrant hope. Hope is the essence of the spiritual life, not optimism. Christian hope is wonderful, it is mystical. My growing experience of hope means I fear less and dance more. Hope gives me the freedom to carry on with my life, wherever it may take me.

At Redeemer, we model and live out that hope. Through our academic programs, we assist students to realise that, collectively, they are capable of responding to the challenges that this life brings us. Through Chapel services, Christian Studies and our Outdoor Education program, we connect students with a greater purpose and the opportunity to explore their relationship with God in the here and now. In our co-curricular activities, we assist our students to explore their God-given gifts and talents, and show them how to persevere to develop these on a personal and a collective level. Through daily learning they come to understand that they are each God’s marvellous creations and collectively, together, they can be the hands and feet of God, in the world, reaching out to others with a message of hope.

Being optimistic is a good thing. It is great to be confident in something, but hope goes deeper and withstands even the most challenging circumstances. Hope brings inner peace. It motivates us to keep going and lights our way when things go dark. Hope is the most powerful gift God has given us, and hope is contagious. The world wants to be hopeful. People want to believe in a brighter future. When you speak with hope, people will listen.

The more you place your trust in God, the more hope you have, the more hope you will inspire in others.