HUMILITY
“In my great and unmatched wisdom”
Perhaps you saw the above quote this week, either in the media or on Twitter. I certainly did and I felt like responding in outrage. What a remarkable thing to say about yourself!
That comment for me was contrasted with a presentation I saw last week from Dr Jordan Nguyen. Jordan is a biomedical engineer. On Jordan’s website he states, “[my] mission in life is to improve the lives of as many people as possible and to be a driving force behind positive human and technological evolution in to the future”. Jordan has been using his expertise to partner with others to design and build solutions to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Jordan has invented some very impressive things and is achieving his life’s purpose. But what struck me when he spoke was his tremendous humility.
Historian, theologian and author John Dickson describes humility as “the ability to redirect your power, to forego your status and deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself.” (Humiltas, 2009).
Many think humility is a weakness (probably the author of the quote, “in my great and unmatched wisdom”), but the reality is that we admire those with great humility. The great Jim Collins, author of best seller “Good to Great” asserts that it is possible to be humble, iron-willed and successful. True humility is a strength.
The last phrase in our School’s purpose statement says, “… with a heart for servant leadership.” As I have written in the past, servant leadership is a description of people who go about making a positive difference to other people’s lives without a desire for recognition.
I see many current students and past students who have a servant heart and a wonderful sense of humility. Like Jordan Nguyen, they are looking for ways to make a positive difference.
As we begin the final term of the year, our current senior students (Year 12) literally only have a few School days left. Sooner than they can imagine, they will be walking through a guard of honour at their final assembly to leave St Paul’s and begin the next chapter of their lives.
Deciding what to do with the rest of your life is no easy task. Some will be determined, others will still be indecisive, anxious and unsure. That’s okay. Everyone will eventually find their way. But I hope that every student leaves St Paul’s with a desire to make a positive difference to others. Our world will be a better place for it.
APPLICATIONS FOR RAY GEISE BURSARY – CURRENT STUDENTS ONLY
Bursary Details:
The Ray Geise Bursary for Service will be offered to one current St Paul’s School student, who will be in Year 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 in 2020.
This Bursary is to the total value of $1,000 (as a reduction in School fees) for 2020 only.
Criteria:
Students should submit a covering letter detailing their performance in pursing the Aims and Goals of the School and must show evidence of consistently caring for others and helping them to live worthwhile and meaningful lives; students must have pride in their School and demonstrate this in their dealings with their peers and indeed the whole School community.
In addition to the covering letter, students should submit a 1000 word essay on “Building a Christian Caring Community in the 21st Century.”
In awarding the Ray Geise Bursary, particular attention will be paid to the performance of the applicants in pursuing the Aims and Goals of the School, and to any financial need which exists in the family.
Applications:
All Bursary applications and offers are to be treated as private and confidential and are not for public discussion or announcement. Applicants should submit:
- A Bursary Application Form
- A Covering Letter
- An Essay
A separate application should be submitted for each child within a family.
Bursary Application Forms are available from the Headmaster’s Executive Assistant, Ms Sam Beeney, via email request: [email protected]
Bursary applications (including the completed Application Form, Covering Letter and Essay) should be submitted in a sealed confidential envelope by Friday 18 October 2019 (the end of the second week of Term 4) to: Dr Paul Browning, Headmaster, St Paul’s School, 34 Strathpine Road, BALD HILLS QLD 4036.
