In my homily on Wednesday at the Form I and new girls welcome service I closed with the following quote, taken from our statement on our Christian identity and ethos:

The school is committed to embodying Jesus’ love for all and his refusal to treat as “other” those whom the society of his day marginalised. Thus, and in line with the school’s commitment to be a South African school, St Mary’s seeks to encourage respect for and understanding of a rich and vibrant diversity within its community, on the part of girls, parents, and staff(#16).

The above quote captures what new beginnings are about. They are about our recommitment to our community and welcoming new staff and girls. In my homily, I shared about how our Christian and African heritage informs and shapes who we are as a school community. Participation in community life is the duty of each person. The importance of participation was a recurring theme at the matric leaders’ induction service.

Each pledge ended with a variation of:
We shall endeavour to lead by example, to encourage the development and participation of every girl in our school…

The following reading from Isaiah points to the divine order of our lives, a wonderful sense of opportunity and possibility, that requires our participation to bring it into being:

The LORD will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.
12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in. (Isaiah 58: 11-12)

We extend our prayers to Buhle Peter and her family on the loss of her father. May you find peace and comfort in this time of loss.

With every good wish for 2023.

REVD RAKGADI
KHOBO CHAPLAIN