Integrity

In Assembly this week Mrs Stokes encouraged us to be people of integrity: to do what we say we are going to do and in doing so, to build pride within ourselves and earn respect from others. Mrs Stokes spoke of integrity being a choice: of courage over comfort, of doing the right thing over the fun thing and practising values, not just professing them. Mrs Stokes explained that how pretty or intelligent we are is not what matters in life; what matters is how we make others feel and we do this well by standing by our principles, refusing to change to suit the crowd, not manipulating others and not pretending, which behaviours enable us to be our authentic selves. In this respect, Mrs Stokes spoke of Adele who supported the Grenfell Tower community following the fire; make-up free, she showed up with open arms and genuine concern.

“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not” (C S Lewis or Oprah Winfrey) which Mrs Stokes said illustrates that real integrity is when we talk the talk and walk the walk without expectation of reward or recognition.

Mrs Stokes recalled the start of term when she spoke of the importance of role models and referred to Serena Williams who when asked which tennis player she wanted to be like, replied that she would rather people would be like her: “Since I don’t look like every other girl, it takes a while to be okay with that. To be different. But different is good”. Mrs Stokes told us that a particular role model of hers is Amal Clooney who practises law with integrity by taking on challenging human rights cases. Amal Clooney is a particular favourite of Mrs Stokes as she encourages women to stand up for each other; to choose to protect and celebrate each other instead of competing or criticizing.

Mrs Stokes asked us to take part in an experiment to recognise people in our Q community who talk the talk and walk the walk by giving them a token of appreciation; a small silver disc that when received can be passed on to someone else who we see doing the same thing. Mrs Stokes said the aim of her experiment is to see how many of the Q community receive a token of appreciation for showing integrity and kindness.

In closing, Mrs Stokes reminded us of Mrs Cameron’s quote from Jane Goodall at the beginning of term: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what difference you want to make”. So, Mrs Stokes encouraged us to keep our word and do the work and she would do the same.

In our Act of Worship this week, Sahi K (9H) and Mr Sheldon read from the Gospel of Mark (9:2-9) which tells of Jesus’ transfiguration when he is visibly changed by the glory of God revealed in him. The Chaplain told us that she could not help but wonder if the senses of the disciples on that day would have been overwhelmed by the experience, after all they:

See the light of Jesus radiating as bright, warm and powerful as the sun.
Hear God describing Jesus as beloved Son to whom the disciples should listen.
Are touched by Jesus’ presence and overcome by the experience.
Smell each other’s fear, alleviated only by Jesus’ words.
Get a taste of the future and see the glory of God which is to come.

The Chaplain reminded us that by the time of this mountain-top experience, Jesus has already told his disciples that he will die on the cross and on the third day will rise again. Therefore, this moment of transfiguration is a foretaste of the divine glory that will radiate from Jesus at his Easter resurrection.

However, the Chaplain said that before Easter we must walk with Jesus to the cross and so this Lent she encouraged us to join with Christians around the world to replicate Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness, to demonstrate resistance to the temptations which can separate us from God and each other and to grow in understanding and appreciation of Jesus’ suffering. To do this, the Chaplain invited us to give up for Lent just ten minutes each day, which might usually be spent indulging in technology, social media, television, hair or make up, and, in the space created, to think about the things that we need to say sorry for, or for which we need to give or receive forgiveness.

Please join us in prayer this week:

Loving God,

You give us senses so that we may be fully present in the world.
Help us to use these senses to become mindful of the things we need to say sorry for, the things we need to forgive and the things we need to be forgiven.
We pray that in this season of Lent our hearts and minds will be changed that we will grow in integrity and radiate your glory within us.

Amen

Looking ahead:

The Stamp Family Service for students, teachers and families of years 7 and 8, will be on Friday 16th February 2024 at 3.30 pm in the Chapel. Parents and Guardians of Year 7 and 8 students are invited to confirm their attendance by Monday 12th February here.

Thank you to the students, parents and guardians who have signed up for Confirmation 2024.  The Chaplain is busy finalising arrangements for Confirmation Preparation and will be in touch shortly with details.

Reverend Kate Douglas
Chaplain