What it means to lead…

As a community, we gathered on Tuesday for our 2025 Commissioning Ceremony where we celebrated our new leaders; the 2025 Student Representative Council, Youth Ministry Leaders, House Captains, Vice Captains and School Captains. We celebrated and acknowledged their ability to use their talents and gifts to make St John’s a better place and to embody what it means to be a leader within a Catholic School, a leader in our school.

When reflecting on the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, specifically, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus redefines exactly what it means to be blessed, revealing the true qualities of a leader in God’s eyes. Jesus reminds us, through his actions, that true leadership is grounded in humility, gentleness, and service to others. A leader in our school isn't just someone who takes charge or gives instructions. It isn’t someone who undertakes the role for the glory or accolades. Leaders in our school serve with love and compassion in hopes of making the lives of others better. 

"Happy are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." A true leader is not harsh or domineering but rather leads with kindness and respect for others, for when they lead with gentleness, they create a community where everyone feels valued. Where everyone is seen, and where everyone has a voice and is heard.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also speaks of the importance of mercy and being peacemakers within our communities. "Happy are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Leaders in our school seek to listen and understand before responding in haste or with judgment. "Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." A true leader brings people together, finding ways to build unity and harmony, even when it’s difficult, even when it may go against popular opinion. Leaders in our school dare to be different, they dare to act with justice. 

However, I want to make one thing very clear, the students who were chosen by their peers and teachers to be leaders in 2025 did not become leaders overnight. They did not suddenly become leaders by simply placing a badge on their lapels or reciting an oath on a piece of paper. No, they are leaders as they made specific choices along their life’s journey to act in service of others. At Thursday’s assembly, I issued this challenge to all students, whether they are in year 7 or 12, whether they have a badge or not. All students within our community have the ability to be leaders, to behave and act in a way that reflects our school values and, most importantly, to use their unique gifts and talents to make a difference to those around them. 

It was wonderful that so many families were able to attend the commissioning ceremony for St John's 2025 school leaders in support of their students, you should all be very proud of your young people.