Page 3 - HCC Connect Vol 24.9

From the Principal
Mr Peter Ayoub
‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.’ Leviticus 19:32
This week Harvest had the special privilege of having our grandparents and special friends
visit the College. We began the day with a big breakfast, followed by a student-led presentation in the PAC and then we invited our grandparents and special friends back to the primary area to enjoy some fun activities with the students.
I was very pleased to see our students showing a great respect and love for their grandparents and special friends. These people have such an influence on our children’s lives.
I never knew my grandparents as three of them departed from this world before I was born and one was too sick to be a part of my life. This is where special people can step in and be such an influence on our children’s lives. Grandparents and special friends are often who our children turn to for advice and guidance whilst we as parents are very busy doing the day to day ‘parent’ things that we need to do.
Whilst I was observing our students I was reminded of a past Grandparents and Special Friends Day many years ago where one of our students found it very difficult to get along with the grandparent or special friend who was attending with him. I could see that the relationship between them was quite strained and wondered what was happening to make that child feel the way he
did. The verse above is a good reminder for our children to show respect for the aged, but I am also reminded that this is a two-way street. Our job as parents, special friends and grandparents is to model to our children what love and respect looks like. This comes in the form of time, presence and interest in our children’s lives as well as love and care.
The second part of this verse reminds us to teach our children the importance of revering God. Revering means to feel deep respect
or admiration for
something or someone.
In the same way we
teach our children
respect and admiration for our grandparents and special friends, we should also teach our children to show this same respect for God, for it is He who has given us these very important values and morals to live by.
I would like to say well done to all of our families who are working hard in these areas. It was certainly evident in the way you all interacted with one another on Grandparents and Special Friends Day.
3 SERVING the Yorke Peninsula for over 20 years