Principal's Reflection - 21 February

Anglican Schools Are Welcoming Schools

Recently, it was my privilege to attend a retreat for Queensland’s Anglican School Principals, led by the Archbishop, the Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves, and the other Bishops of the Diocese. We discussed many topics, and among them was the question, “What makes an Anglican school, Anglican?” I am very aware that many parents and guardians are not choosing St Luke’s for its Anglicanism, and that is perfectly fine. In fact, that is one of the things that Anglican schools are very OK with. We do not exist to produce more Anglicans. From our parent and student surveys, we know that ‘a school in the Anglican tradition’ is not a priority for many of the people in our community, but those same surveys tell us that St Luke’s strong school values are very important to our families. 

At the retreat, the Principals spent time looking at values that each of the schools hold dear, and how they align with the broader values of the Anglican Church. One of the key markers of an Anglican school is that we are ‘Hospitable’, and the Principals spent significant time considering what hospitality means. From the Ethos in Anglican Schools statement, we find:

We acknowledge and celebrate that both our student and staff memberships are plural. We invite and welcome all and hospitality is given to every student, no matter the race, gender, sexuality, ideology, ability/disability or religion. No one is excluded. The only pre-condition for membership in our schools (outside fees) is respect, respect for our ethos and the Gospel at its heart.

So, what does it mean to be hospitable and welcoming? And, are these things visible at St Luke’s? Does it mean students greeting people with a polite smile, befriending a new student, or inviting others to join in with them at lunch? Yes! These small, frequent acts of kindness are essential to a welcoming community. I wonder, though, are the deeper indicators of hospitality visible? 

I have always disliked the word ‘tolerance’ in relation to communities of people from different backgrounds, cultures, traditions and walks of life. It is true that tolerance has a place in many areas around the world where people are at odds, but I am reassured that tolerance is not a word we use at St Luke’s. We do not tolerate people, we welcome them. So, beyond polite greetings, how do we show people that they are truly welcome at St Luke’s? At the retreat I was presented with a hypothetical–if a student communicated to others something really important to them about their faith identity or cultural background, but that thing was very different to the experience of most students, how would they be received? Would they be ignored, tolerated, or made to feel welcome? Would their difference be accepted or celebrated? I would love to know what you think, and I invite you to talk with me about it the next time we meet in the pick up line, at a School event or around the campus as you drop your children off at school. 

Thank you for your ongoing support of our School.

Matthew Hughes

Principal