I was blessed last week to spend some time at the Year Ten camp at Emu Gully. It was a well-run, enjoyable camp in which the students were challenged by the activities and instructors. Students really ‘had a go’ at the activities, whether it be pulling a mock cannon through the knee (and sometimes waist!) deep mud, driving buggies, bush dancing or launching off the swing into the dam. The students are to be commended for their positive attitude and whole-hearted participation in the program.

On a camp, these positive traits are easy to see because we are watching closely how students react and work in challenges and their performance is highlighted and celebrated by the instructors. However, many of our students perform acts such as these in the school environment all the time. In the busyness of school these acts are less easy to see and can go unnoticed but are pivotal to the positive community we enjoy at Mueller College. For instance, many students go out of their way to include others in their friendship groups and activities.

As we prepare for the 2019 Presentation Night and look back on the year’s events and achievements, we are conscious of the big events and high-profile service opportunities which students devote their time to. These are wonderful opportunities and the You Belong week, ANZAC Day march, World Vision backpack challenge and of course the Mueller fete are shining examples of the students pulling together and serving one another. However, we are also grateful for and acknowledge the unseen acts that many students undertake to share with one another, support one another and look after one another. These acts are exactly what God loves to see us doing, to love others because he loved us. Galatians 6 says “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone…” School can, at times, be a difficult experience for students and we are thankful for the many who serve their peers and the broader school community each day, quietly and without fanfare.

Todd Langford

Week 2 News