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In last week's Messenger, I reflected on the fact that, despite the many daily interactions on campus, only a very small number of them are negative. I also shared a helpful initial response to support your child if they encounter such situations, recognising the critical role we, as adults, play in helping our children build resilience, character, and appropriate boundaries when responding to challenging scenarios.

I often reflect on the reality that schools are places where people from diverse backgrounds and interests come together to form community. In social science, these are referred to as mediating institutions, operating between the micro institution (family) and macro institutions (government). In our current cultural moment, we are witnessing a decline in the influence of other mediating institutions, such as churches and clubs. Additionally, the rise of the internet has made it easier for people to connect with like-minded individuals, leading to a more siloed existence where exposure to differing ideas and ways of life becomes limited.

However, schools continue to defy the trend of waning influence seen in other institutions. They remain spaces where we connect with people who hold different ideas and perspectives. This is significant and essential for deep learning and growth.

All humans are made in the image of God, endowed with innate dignity and value. At the same time, humans are as diverse and unique as anything imaginable. We are also created to be in community with one another. This inherent need for community, coupled with our diversity, can lead to challenges, disagreements, and conflict. Yet, it is through these challenges and conflicts that learning and growth occur.

Consider the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Here at Green Point, we understand that these character traits form part of what it means to have Godly character. To cultivate these traits, they must be practiced in the space of challenge. To grow in patience, we need to learn to wait. To cultivate kindness, we need to learn to respond with kindness when someone has not been kind to us. To develop peace, we need to face conflict. It is through facing challenges that we grow and mature as humans. Green Point is a place where, under the guidance and love of mature and professional staff, we encourage our students to face challenges and embrace growth.

At Green Point, we recognise that, while challenging, conflict can be an opportunity: an opportunity to glorify God, an opportunity to serve others, and an opportunity to grow to be more like Christ.

There is nothing simple or comfortable about seeing things this way, but we believe that embracing challenge and conflict, where necessary, is the path toward true character, learning, and maturity. It is the path that develops the deep skills that help our students reflect our College learning/graduate profile.

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Joel van Bentum