Educational Excellence – A Question of Values Address to the Scholarships and Student Leadership Assembly 18th March 2009
The purpose of the scholarships and awards is “to promote a culture of achievement and aspiration”; to quote Barbara Stone, Chairman of AHISA, to encourage diligent and sustained effort from all students. For the Scholarships winners, they are a just reward for determination and hard work. Through the sheer breadth of our awards, we want students to know that excellence is within reach of all and may be pursued in the Visual and Performing Arts, in the technologies, in Hospitality and in the Human Values that enrich everyone.
St Spyridon College programs are based on the Four Pillars of Education identified by the UNESCO Report on Education for the 21st century. The first pillar, Learning to Know, is the knowledge mandated by the BOS and that which as a GOC we believe you should know for your social development and spiritual edification. This knowledge enables students to engage with the world of ideas and the world at large with confidence and success. The second pillar, Learning to Do, is the meaningful and creative application of that knowledge for a worthwhile purpose. The third pillar, Learning to Live Together, is an essential pillar, since all that we think and do impacts on those around us as do their thoughts and actions. For us, learning to live together goes beyond tolerance – which we would utterly reject as arrogant and patronising of others. Rather we
2 cultivate true respect of difference and a desire to know and understand the “other” which is not “us”. So what is the central purpose of education? For gainful employment? Certainly. For a fulfilling job or career? Absolutely. But the ultimate purpose is much more demanding that this. It is so that you can come to know yourself. This pillar is called Learning to Be. This is so that in your 30s, no matter what life throws in your way, you don’t need to go and find yourself – because you already know who you are and who you want to become. Our ambition here at St Spyridon College is that each of you with your own unique personality, Learn to Be: ¾
people of faith
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people of discipline
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people of tradition.
For us, there is no tension between what we are and what we are becoming. We see ourselves and others as being on a life-long journey – on a quest if you like to become our best selves. Knowing this, you may critique your actions without condemning yourself. This is the power and the beauty of routine and repetition. That tomorrow is a new day and By God’s Grace, we may strive to do better to be better. And while we exercise judgement in our dealings with others, we do not set ourselves up as their JUDGE & EXECUTIONER. We remember our own trespasses first; we see others as co-travellers in life’s journey; we approach them with compassion and forgiveness. Christ in His sermon on the Mount spoke to the people saying “You are the light of the world”. His is a call to “become the light of the world”. When
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3 He says “You are the salt of the earth”, it is an invitation to “become the salt of the earth”. And this is LEARNING TO LOVE – the cornerstone of our College and the true purpose of life. As your teachers, priests and parish community leaders, this is a sacred task demanding that we too, with all our personal trials and misgivings –are becoming our better selves. In my heart I hope that the unique gift that St Spyridon College gives to each of you, is a strong sense of belonging so that you may approach life with a sense of adventure, a sense of wonder and excitement, even in your advanced old age; so that you may live each day with deep gratitude to God, for His many Blessings. Thank you. March 2009 Efrosini Stefanou-Haag
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