We farewelled our Year 12s on Friday and, through the liturgy, left them with a couple of simple but timeless messages. The Scripture reminded them of Jesus, who, when challenged by the lawyers, cut through about a thousand years of ritual and law that constrained every part of Jewish life and culture. He said all of that could be summed up in one commandment, “Love your neighbour, as yourself”. Friday was also the anniversary of the passing of one of our ‘Shalom Heroes’, Mr Kerry Bolam. He made a profound impact on so many students here and his constant mantra was, “In a world where you can be anything, Be Kind’. For neither Jesus nor Kerry was that a version of ‘saccharin Christianity’. It’s much more than being nice. Loving those around us and being kind would be so much easier if that just applied to people we liked.

Our regard for others and our kindness towards them is really challenged when we deal with people who are difficult or whose ideas we don’t much like. If the Referendum process taught us anything, it has been how difficult it is to have respectful conversations and have the ability to graciously and respectfully disagree. So many of our political leaders, here and overseas, rely on demonising anyone who disagrees with them. They are painted as ‘the enemy’ and an enemy that has to be destroyed. I hope and pray that our 2023 graduating class will go into the world being able to hold well thought out positions but also be able to treat every person respectfully and with kindness. If we could guarantee that, I would not care much about what ATAR score they achieved or what jobs they win. Congratulations to all of their parents and families on the huge amount of love and care invested in those wonderful young people.

Awards Night 2023 was another excellent night for the College. Almost 500 Shalom students were recognised for their efforts in class and their achievements. Those young people deserve to be acclaimed. Those present also enjoyed some wonderful entertainment from our very talented musicians and singers.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
mcmahond@shalomcollege.com