This week we have a Commendation Assembly for our Secondary students. At these times we acknowledge publicly those who have attained highly and those who have put in a high effort.

There is always a tension in acknowledging high achievement because so often we recognise it as coming from a particular gifting a student has which many others do not. In this we might say there is no level playing field. In spite of our culture telling us that we can achieve anything we want if we only set our mind to it or strive hard enough, the reality is, we mostly cannot do that.

However, even someone with a particular ability, still needs to apply that to their work in order to achieve highly. So, we always want to acknowledge effort as well as achievement. Someone with significant ability still needs to put in some effort. Those who have no special ability in an area, should not think they do not need to try, they should.

The Bible contains a parable of Jesus that speaks of a master giving three of his servants varying amounts of money and expecting them to do something with it. Two did and doubled their money, but the third hid his in the ground and returned the original amount to the master. We learn a number of things from Jesus’ teaching here.

Firstly, that God gives us our abilities and they are not equal. Some appear to have a greater ability in an area than others. This is OK.

Secondly, we are expected to put our ability to work and do whatever we can with it.

Thirdly, God is not pleased with those who do not use their ability, no matter how limited it may appear.

As a school, we accept that our students vary greatly in ability in academics, sport, music, visual art etc. That is fine. What we want them to do is take whatever ability they have – great or small – and use it well. Some will achieve high academic or sporting or artistic outcomes. Most will not. That too is fine. What matters is that everyone does their best and works hard even with only a small amount of ability in any area.

We often have a lower expectation of our ability than actually exists, so unless we really put in a good effort, we may never really know what we can achieve. Students often give up before they start because they compare themselves to others and, knowing (or guessing) that they cannot match their ability, don’t even try.

As school and home work together on this issue with them, we can help them to see the importance of doing their best even in the areas where they feel they have no ability. Then they may surprise themselves at how far they do get. So, we acknowledge high achievement and effort together as both being worthy of recognition.

Phillip Nash