Image: Charles Allen Gilbert's 'All Is Vanity'
At first glance, it’s not a great idea to start reading the book of Ecclesiastes as the school year draws to a close. As I opened up my devotional schedule this morning, I was greeted with:
“Vanities of vanities, all is vanity.”
Not necessarily a great start to the day. When followed by the observations that devoting your life either to pleasure or hard work leads to disappointment and that:
"[T]here is a man whose labour is with wisdom, knowledge and skill; Yet he must leave his heritage to [another]”
Again, not very encouraging – until you look a little deeper and read chapter 3:10-11.
“I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”
I find this to be a beautiful passage, and one that reminds me strongly of the educational process.
Each one of us has a calling to serve and honour God, even when exactly what that looks like is unclear to us. This holds true for a Year 8 student choosing their electives, a Year 12 working through their options, as well as you as a parent seeking to guide and support them. Although the school year is coming to an end for 2019, your child’s education journey continues in order to prepare and equip them for their God-given task. Thank you for allowing the Heathdale community to be part of this process and we look forward to partnering with you next year and beyond.
Awards Night
We’re looking forward to seeing you all at Senior School Awards Night next Monday, December 2. On the night we will take the opportunity to celebrate many of 2019’s key moments and successes. The evening is due to commence at 7pm, so students need to arrive by 6:45 in their formal summer uniform, including ties for boys and blazers for all.