Friday, in our Christian tradition, we commemorate the death of Jesus and a couple of days later, we celebrate his Resurrection. It’s worth reflecting on the crucifixion of Jesus. Too often, Christianity gets ‘dumbed down’ to just having to be nice to each other. If that was all Jesus did, no one would have crucified him! Lots of his ministry was about bringing comfort to the afflicted but, he also spent plenty of time ‘afflicting the comfortable’. He did that by preaching radical inclusion and forgiveness. In this, he challenged, to its roots, the prevailing customs, traditions and practices of his time. For worse or better, this is what he continues to call us to do today.

Last Thursday, we celebrated ‘Harmony Day’ at Shalom. Led by our First Nations students and our students from Multi Cultural backgrounds, we were invited to remember and celebrate our diversity and that ‘Everyone Belongs’ here. Shalom is such a better community for the presence of our First Nations students and those from different and vibrant cultures. I fear we still live in a world where Jesus, if he were to appear again, might still run the risk of crucifixion. 

Jesus of Nazareth would speak against those who want to treat people as 'other' or a threat. Those who would want to exclude on the basis of colour or race or religion or sexual orientation. Those who would work hard to keep the poor in their place. That Jesus would still be very much at risk. I hope that this Easter will be a blessing for all in the Shalom community. May Jesus of Nazareth keep challenging all of us to be better and to be more for our world. May his message of Hope continue to enliven us all. Resurrection follows Crucifixion. As a footnote, I was in Jerusalem this time last year.

The pictures of the Stations of the Cross were some of those I took as we walked the streets of old Jerusalem this time last year. Supposedly this is the path walked by Jesus on his way to Calvary. Just as present where the numerous military personnel – many of them who looked like they had not long finished High School!

Please God, Israel, the land of the birth of Jesus will hear something of his message of forgiveness, inclusion and justice for those most at risk.

Grease the Musical concluded with a stunning closing night on Saturday evening.  Congratulations to all involved.  It is a credit to a town like ours that we have become used to such polished performances. Very proud of the strong Shalom connection to cast and crew – six current staff, six past students, four current or past parents & six current students!

Shalom Musicians entertained us at Sunday’s Autumn Concert.  So great always to see the array of talent at Shalom but particularly pleased to see the debut of our new groups with the Percussion Ensemble, the Rock Band, the Boys’ Choir.  The number of our students involved in our various groups is now in excess of 250!

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
mcmahond@shalomcollege.com