Head of Secondary, Mr Cameron Ivers, recently spoke with our student leaders as they prepared to take up their roles to influence our student body, College community and beyond, for good and for God.
Here are his words to inspire, encourage and challenge our Secondary student leaders.
鈥淚magine this: You are at a concert and the crowd is buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The lights suddenly go out, plunging everyone into darkness. The entire audience falls silent, with the occasional person whistling or calling out while waiting for the concert to start. Then, a single spotlight cuts through the darkness, landing not on the stage, but on a person in the crowd.
鈥淭his person starts clapping. At first, they鈥檙e alone clapping. But soon, the people around them join in. The ripple effect spreads, and, within moments, thousands of people are clapping. This person wasn鈥檛 famous or on stage, but their simple action influenced everyone around them. That鈥檚 the power of influence. Consider this: How are you influencing the people around you? What impact do your actions have on others?鈥�
Influence is one of the most powerful forces in the world, and it is impressive that our student leaders chose it as the Word for 2025. Influence shapes how we think, act, and make decisions. It鈥檚 like a ripple in a pond: A small pebble creates waves that reach far beyond the point of impact. For student leaders, influence is magnified. Actions, words, and choices ripple out to peers, the College, and the community.
Salt of the earth
The Bible provides a powerful representation of influence in Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus tells His followers that they are to be 鈥渢he salt of the earth鈥� and 鈥渢he light of the world鈥�.
When Jesus calls us to be 鈥渢he salt of the earth鈥�, He鈥檚 saying that our influence should add value to the world around us. But Jesus also warns that if the salt loses its flavour, it鈥檚 no longer good for anything.
This is a call to maintain our integrity, character values, and commitment to doing what is right, even when challenging.
Mr Cameron Ivers, Head of Secondary
Light of the World
Light illuminates, guides, and reveals what is hidden. It drives out darkness and shows the way. When Jesus says we are 鈥渢he light of the world鈥�, He is telling us that our influence should shine brightly, leading others toward truth, goodness, and hope. We鈥檙e called to actively shine in a way that makes a positive difference.
Influence, even in small ways, can light the world around us as we seek to influence the world for good and for God.
