This week at PCS has been one of the highlights of the year already!
These newsletter articles give us a chance to connect with our school community and offer small insights into who we are and the day to day happenings and this one is no different. Each day last week had a similar theme for me: many questions! Normal questions like teachers wondering who is covering that class? To big life questions from students, like how is Jesus 100% God and man at the same time? Some easier to answer than others but all had their purpose. The questions weren’t just being asked of me but also people were asking each other a lot of questions. It really was the week of questions.
We are all encouraged to seek knowledge and question things around us as we are learning. I love walking into a classroom and hearing that great sound of students asking questions about the things they are learning about. As a teacher, throwing out a perfect question that sparks interest, rattles preexisting ideas, generates conversations or furthers understanding is The Dream. My questions don’t always land but when they do it is awesome! What is even better is when students throw a question out to others. You can see they are engaged, they are interested and they want to know more.
Some wonderful conversations have been happening this week due to our students being curious. In our Year 9/10 Elective – Crime and Punishment we have begun unravelling a mystery so who done it? is the question and why? is the even more important one. It is so cool to go on the journey and experience the frustrations of not having the whole picture as well as recognising that people are biased and don’t always tell the whole truth. During Chapel and Bible Study we are constantly being challenged as we wrestle with our understanding of God and our place in all of that and this is where the big questions come from. We currently have three Senior students beginning the journey through a Theology course run by an external provider and facilitated here at school. A big part of this course encourages them to read the Bible and discuss with others their thoughts. This week there were big questions about creation, Jesus and loving your enemy that spilled into the Library, the Staffroom and the playground, well beyond their small group and what a great blessing that has been. Hearing people share opinions and thoughts, respecting and challenging each other truly has been the best!
Great questions bring about great discussion. That is not a promise of perfect answers or complete knowledge but a willingness to work through it together and offer insights based on life experience and direction towards truth found in research. Next time someone asks you a big question don’t shy away from it for fear of not knowing you are right or wrong. Be willing to engage in the conversation. You may find yourself smack bang in the middle of a life changing moment. Questions help us to grow, help us to understand and help us to realise that we don’t know everything and that it ok. The seeking of understanding can be just as enjoyable as understanding itself.
I hope the week ahead is filled with wonderful conversation, great questions and many different answers that continue to shape who you are in this world and eternity.
Hollie
