Strength of the Week – Hope

Science tells us that hope has a positive impact on physical and mental health, providing protection against anxiety and stress. It affords us a stronger ability to bounce back from what can sometimes seem impossible challenge and can help us towards our goals – and help us to develop a growth mindset. Hope sees us develop better communication, strengthening our relationships and, according to research, potentially leads us to a longer life with much better physical health.

Each day in the Daily Notices students see an Action for Happiness and a link to a Daily Minute of Mindfulness, and of course, we share prayer on a daily basis in Pastoral Class; all important messages of hope. This week, Year 7 and 8 students have also worked with Hope Cards in Pastoral Care, reflecting on a range of contexts in which hope can propel us forwards.

As a community, our focus on a range of social justice issues fills us with hope for better. This week we have also been truly inspired by our Beyond Borders students, who share incredible stories of personal bravery and hope to lead us in celebrating Refugee Week with the theme of Finding Freedom, aiming to help the broader community to understand what it is like to be a refugee.

We have been privileged to see some videos prepared by our Afghan, Eritrean and Ethiopian students about their home countries, intended to share the beauty of their homes with us, rather than the images we often see on the news. Our Lasallian Leaders have also worked to enhance awareness with the production and dissemination of Refugee Week badges. The hope and perseverance the students embody is an inspiration to all of us.

Whatever our context and experience, hope gives us all the strength to persist and to reframe situations we face in the positive, rather than being overwhelmed by negativity.  Hope whispers that the sun will always return to shine on us, despite momentary darkness, and that it’s always present, even when we can’t see it.  And it’s even more powerful when we help each other along this journey.

May we all nurture our hope this week, and at the times we need it most.

Tonia Carfora, Year 7-9 Wellbeing Initiatives Leader