Acting Principal
Last week, I spoke to the boys about gratitude. Through more good luck rather than design, the word became a real theme for the week. It started with my talk on assembly and then was used at the 1st XI football dinner, featured as a key value for the team. Finally, gratitude was a key theme shared with the College at the ANZAC Ceremony last Friday.
Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new, hoping it will make them happier or think they can't feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. Although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.
Gratitude is the art and practice of recognising what we have received from another and being motivated to give back, without wanting anything in return. While resentment isolates people from one another, gratitude brings them into a closer relationship as they think about what they have received and how they can give back. Resentment alienates, but gratitude brings warmth, acceptance, joy and love into relationships. Resentment also drains our energy as we consider what we feel has been taken away from us. In contrast, gratitude energises us and opens us up to what we receive and how we can give back. While resentment undermines and destroys relationships, gratitude builds and sustains them.
I spent some time over the Easter break with friends and family. Sadly, I listened to them complain about students at their school, the teachers and even the school leadership. During the assembly, I suggested to the boys it is a good time for us to remember, as Mr Todd would say, how blessed we are to be a part of the Nudgee College community.
My challenge to the boys for this term (and beyond) was for them to focus on the good things that happen here at the College each day. They were encouraged to be polite and thank people - and genuinely thank staff and other students - when they could see something good happen. Additionally, try not to get caught up in negative spirals and focus on the negative or build resentment towards others.
Often as parents, we might be drawn into our son’s complaints about their teacher or the College, thinking that we are being supportive and placating them in some way. This might not only be misguided thinking but also be having a direct negative impact on our son’s learning because we are, unknowingly, reinforcing their inner attitude of complaint and therefore taking away from their gratitude.
Many people and things deserve sincere thanks. It is very easy to overlook these things, particularly if showing gratitude isn’t currently in our repertoire - and believe me, I need to put into practice what I am writing about!
As a leader, a parent, and a member of the Nudgee College community, I am thankful for all we have and what our staff and community have done to make sure we support the boys and their holistic learning.
As Nelson Mandela famously said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” In fact, the other person may not even be aware of the pain they have caused us and be oblivious to our resentment.
Mr David Johnston
Acting Principal
