Principal 6/9: Understanding the Water We Swim In

Understanding the Waters We Swim In

A well-known fable tells of a frog that has jumped into a pot of water recently placed on a stove. As easily as it jumped in, it is able to jump back out. However, the frog is happy to have found a little water and a moist place to settle. The problem is, the water is getting warmer, and will soon boil. The story goes that although the frog can jump back out, it stays in the water—in perceived comfort and security—and sadly boils to death.

There is also an old saying, “if you want to know about water, don’t ask a fish!”

The frog and the fish are living (or dying) in something that is having a shaping effect on them: the water of their world. The way that we think about and approach the questions, issues, and decisions of life will be shaped by the water of our worlds. Just like with the frog and the fish, this happens whether we are aware of it or not.

With the frog image, the shaping effect is slow and subtle, and the frog continues doing what seems good and right for a frog, even though it will likely be harmed. The image of the fish is different. The fish is so immersed in its world of water that it knows nothing outside of the water.

We are all immersed in, and shaped by, a culture. It shapes us by presenting a ‘story’ about life. Every culture tells such a story and this story subtly shapes our answers to life’s big questions. This effect is so strong that even what we consider to be ‘big life questions’ are shaped by this cultural story telling.

What you have just read is from the introduction to the book ‘The Frog and The Fish: Reflections on work, technology, sex, stuff, truth and happiness’ by Chris Parker. We give a copy of The Frog and The Fish to each Year 12 student at their graduation. Chris seeks to engage young people to consider how a worldview shaped by the Bible offers integrity and hope that the stories of our culture simply can’t.

This week has provided multiple opportunities for our students to reflect on the cultures that shape us in different ways.

At the beginning of the week, we celebrated the cultural diversity of our school community with the Multicultural Day. Students were invited to dress in clothing representative of the cultural heritage of their families. This was a wonderful day which culminated in a lunchtime parade of students grouped by continents. Despite the windy conditions, the range of clothing was a testament to the many parts of the world where our school families have travelled from to live in South-West Sydney. Not only was the day fun and colourful, it provided the opportunity for students to learn more about each other and the culture and histories of their families.

This week Year 8 and 9 boys listened to guest presenter Daniel Principe. Daniel was invited by our Wellbeing Team to speak on the topic of championing boys and challenging the ‘culture waters we swim in’. Daniel speaks in schools to help boys find their purpose, clarify their values and get intentional about the kind of men they want to be. He casts a vision that is worth aspiring to, a vision that integrates care and courage, empathy with strength, and resilience with a desire to be kind. Daniel speaks to help boys recognise the cultural waters they exist in; to unpack society’s messages they receive about masculinity and sex, to give them the tools and opportunities to build a healthy identity and provides good examples of good men and respectful relationships. Daniel believes that boys want to be decent and courageous and with the right role models and encouragement, he believes all boys can become the type of young men they can be proud of.

On the topic of positive role models, we celebrated Father’s Day with hundreds of fathers, grandfathers and father figures in our first Prep to Year 12 BBQ breakfast. It was a great start to the day with bacon and egg rolls, hot drinks, student performances and a short talk from Mr Bill Forrester. Mr Forrester challenged and encouraged the dads to remember that they are being watched by their children all the time, and how they speak or relate to others throughout life shapes the culture of their families and the lives of their children. It was a wonderful opportunity to hear a valuable message and celebrate the positive impact our fathers can have on our lives.

So back to the author Chris Parker. He concludes:

Unlike the frog, how aware are we of the water of our world and how is it shaping our view of life (or that of our children)?

Unlike the fish, can we consider that there is truth, as a point of reference, outside of ourselves and the ‘storytelling’ of the water in which you swim?

In response, Chris Parker points to the truth of the Bible and the grace of God, through Jesus which is impacting and enables us to begin to see ourselves and the world the way God does. I pray that you may reflect on your own ‘cultural waters’ and challenge it where it needs challenging.