“Well done, good and faithful servant.” These words from a parable of Jesus are well known and often quoted. This past week we farewelled a long-serving member of our school administration team – Margaret Butler. After almost 25 years at GPCC, Marg is retiring to spend time with her husband and family, and large collection of delightful grandchildren, many of whom are students in our school.

Marg’s roles have been in supporting the various Heads of School with secretarial and organisation duties. Most recently she has worked with Mrs Nicole Smith, our Head of Primary. She has served well and faithfully and will be missed by the team here. Her quiet manner and gentle concern for others has been valued.

Faithfulness is an often-missing virtue today. People chase the next exciting opportunity, or more money or simply want to live with the constantly new, rather than committing long term to a role and to the people supported by that role. Even commitment to an organisation is waning, with loyalties expressed one day and abandoned the next. Many people express surprise at a sportsperson for example, who decides to stay with the same club rather than accept the next offer that comes along.

Change in itself is not bad and faithfulness by definition is not necessarily best expressed through long term employment in the same place. Faithfulness is commitment to a place and to people because of a desire to love and to serve, rather than for self-interest. Christians believe God calls them to various roles in life and in that call is a responsibility to be loyal and faithful for however long you remain in that role. The call itself may be long or short but it is the attitude expressed to the service required that is important.

Marg Butler has served for almost a quarter of a century in the same school, but what will be remembered is not the length of her service as much as her attitude and contribution. This is a great lesson for our children to learn. Are we teaching them these lessons or are we by word and example, teaching them to simply escape or opt out when we feel like it, or when the going gets tough? The attitude and habit of faithfulness requires humility and sacrifice. These attributes are often missing today too.

As a school, we are committed to working with you to develop children of Godly character. In our work together we must focus on these common attributes and commit to instilling them in our children through the example and teaching of home and school. Churches are another great place for children to learn about these things. If your child is not connected to a Sunday School or Youth group, then I encourage you to seek out a place for them.

Green Point Baptist Church runs some excellent programs for Primary and Secondary students on a Friday night (see the notices section of this Messenger for details). There are any number of excellent Churches in our community who will help you as parents to instil these attributes into your child. Find one and get involved in it as a family.

Thank you, Marg Butler for your example. We wish you all the very best for the next phase of your life and are glad that you have grandchildren here so that we can stay connected.

Phillip Nash

Principal