‘Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase.’ I was amongst a full auditorium of people grooving along to this song on Saturday night at the Lion King Musical.  Our Year 1 – 7 students have worked since Term 1 to perfect and polish a performance we won’t forget.

Words actually seem inadequate to describe how amazing the students were. They sang and acted, danced and twirled. Students made us laugh and hold our breath. There were beaming smiles throughout the scenes and they boldly carried on when things didn’t go to plan. Their average age was about 10 years old and yet their performance was absolutely incredible.

It was wonderful to see students in their element, using their gifts and abilities.  Some students who were on the stage find schoolwork hard or the constraints of sitting in the classroom uncomfortable.  Yet on the stage, performing in the musical, they shone. Our desire is to see each student grow and thrive. Our extracurricular activities provide opportunities for students to do this, whether it is in musicals, sporting teams, dancing, choir, band, and all the different extra activities that they pursue.

As with so many things in our school, the Lion King musical required an army of people willing to use their diverse talents to make it happen.  There were those who made costumes and the set, the sound and lighting team, band, choir, the stagehands who made sure everything was in place, and all those who performed.  So many students and staff made this a success, and we are so thankful for all their time and effort to make the musical so very fabulous.  We especially thank Di Schmidt who was the vision and heart behind the Lion King performance.

Hakuna Matata has been stuck in my head since Saturday night. It was Pumbaa and Timon’s anthem song, but also reminds me of God’s promise to us about worry.  The second verse to Hakuna Matata is;

It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It’s our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!

We are reminded in the Bible to not worry about anything.  In Philippians 4:6-7 it says,

Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

With the busyness of the end of term, students feeling tired, tests happening, report cards looming, there are endless things we can be worrying about. God wants us to go to him with whatever is worrying us, whatever we need. It doesn’t mean that all our problems disappear, but He does enable us to take the next step or face the next day. God gives us a peace beyond understanding, strength and hope so that we can truly say Hakuna Matata.

Sarah Grady

Term 4 News