As we continue our exploration of the GPCC graduate profile, we look this week at what it means to be a life-long learner.

Given the complexity of the Creation and of human beings, it is not surprising that there is an almost infinite amount of knowledge to be gained from their study. In Western culture, we have somehow fallen into the false thinking that, because of our formalised approach to learning and the granting of qualifications, we can almost stop learning once we have achieved a qualification.

We serve a God who is infinite in complexity, and He has created a world of incredible variety, filled with details to be discovered and understood.  A lifetime of study still only gives us a small measure of understanding of any aspect of creation. Our lives should be a journey of discovery as we explore the material creation and seek to understand humankind itself, including ourselves.

This can be a daunting prospect at times, but we need to help students see it also as an exciting and rewarding challenge. We must model to them the importance of continuous learning as the means to a flourishing life, as it opens more opportunities for us to try different things and use our gifts and abilities more effectively.

The Apostle Paul writing to the Colossians said, “… live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good  work or growing in the knowledge of God.” This is an instruction with no time limit on it. We are expected to grow in knowledge throughout our life. Knowledge of God is gained as much through general revelation (the study of creation and humankind) as it is through the study of the Scriptures.

At GPCC we hope that our students gain knowledge in two key areas to equip them for life. Firstly, we hope they gain an understanding of God – who He is, what he has done and why we need to be in relationship with him. This area focuses on the spiritual aspect of our lives but also impacts how we might approach the physical, relational, and intellectual aspects. We gain knowledge of God through the Scriptures but also through our study of the creation. Saint Paul wrote: “…what may be known about God is plain to them, (all people) because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…” (Romans 1:18 – 20).

Education involves the study of the world around us, the people in the world, including ourselves, as well as of God and his purposes for humankind. This is important if we are to produce graduates who are well set up to live the life God intended for them. This is a life-long enterprise. It has little to do with a formal qualification, although those are useful but it is about their proper formation as human beings.

At school, we want students not just to learn facts, i.e, knowledge about the world or God or ourselves but to be able to really understand and appreciate that knowledge and then apply it for good purposes. This is how we live the wise life which God calls us to. I trust that what GPCC graduates walk away with from their time with us is an appreciation of what it means to be a quality learner, able to live life well.

Phillip Nash

Principal