Dear Holy Cross Parents and Carers,

Last Friday, my son, Edward, celebrated his 18^th birthday. As tradition dictates, we marked the occasion with gifts, decorations, a home-made cake, and stories - some heartwarming, others hilariously embarrassing - much to his horror and delight. As my husband and I reflected on our 18 years of parenting, I found myself drifting back to life before children. To my surprise, it dawned on me that I’ve now been teaching in Australia longer than I ever did in the UK. That small revelation sent me on a nostalgic journey through the many faces and stories that have shaped my career.

One memory stood out vividly involving a wonderful young man named James who was in my final Year 6 class in England before I moved to Australia. James was extraordinary. His mind was sharp, he was a phenomenal mathematician and often surprised me with his insight into ‘life the universe and everything.’ He had a depth of thought and compassion that was rare, even among adults.

In the week’s leading up to graduation, I invited my students to bring a photograph that held special meaning for them to stick into their books and write a short reflection underneath. The next day, James arrived with a photo of an elderly woman in a wheelchair who lived in the village. Her face was lined with deep wrinkles, yet her eyes sparkled with joy. It was clear that her spirit was untouched by age.

Underneath the photo, James wrote:

“This beautiful woman lives down the street from me. I visit her every day. She makes me feel like the most important person in the world. We play draughts and she listens to my problems. She understands me, and when I leave, she always tells me that she’s proud of me. This picture shows you that she is the most beautiful woman. I hope I have a wife like her.”

James’ words reminded me so much of Jesus who saw beyond the surface, who valued the heart, and who lifted others up with compassion and truth. Like Jesus, James understood that real beauty is found in relationship, in service, and in seeing others as God sees them.

The world we live in today often teaches a different lesson. Advertising bombards us with images suggesting that if we’re not conventionally attractive, we’re somehow less worthy. But true beauty isn’t inherited or manufactured, it’s cultivated through acts of love, kindness, and authenticity. The woman in James’s photo wasn’t beautiful because of her features; she was beautiful because of the way she made him feel.

Scripture reminds us that, “man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Jesus lived this truth, and James, in his own way, did too.

Deborah Newman, in Loving Your Body, writes:

“Humans need a supernatural love. In order to be loved and to feel beautiful for who we are, we need to come into contact with our Creator and discover who we were created to be. If we fail to do this, we become a series of reflections of the images that magazines keep fabricating for our consumption.”

So, how do we help our students (and ourselves) discover this inner beauty? It’s really simple, we live and breathe the ‘Holy Cross Way’ and embed it in all that we do:

• Build strong self-esteem through affirmation and encouragement.
• Set realistic expectations that foster success, not shame.
• Keep a spiritual dimension in our guidance, reminding them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made.
• And perhaps most importantly, model love, the kind that sees, listens, and lifts.

As Robert Browning wisely said, “My business is not to remake myself but to make the absolute best of what God has made.”

So, let each of us strive to be like James – to see the beauty in others, speak life into those around us, and live with the kind of love that reflects the heart of Jesus. When we choose kindness, compassion, and authenticity, we not only shape our own story, but help others write theirs. May our lives and the lives we touch become the kind of story that inspires, uplifts, and becomes an all-time best seller.

A Personal Note

As today marks my final day before travelling to the UK to provide some much-needed respite for my Dad, who is the full-time carer for my Mum, I want to take a moment to thank you all for yet another magnificent term. Your continued trust in us to educate and care for your children is deeply appreciated.

I will miss our beautiful students immensely whilst I’m away. Their energy, smiles, kindness, and joy are a daily blessing, and I carry that with me as I go. I wish you all a safe, restful, and happy holiday, and look forward to returning in Week 3, ready to reconnect and continue our journey together.

Fondest regards,

Sarah