Welcome from Our Headteacher

The weeks before Christmas tend to be very busy in the life of our college community. We have concerts, Carol Services and parties, whilst the academic life of the college continues. We rush from one event to another and although the word Christmas may appear in the title of invitations, celebrations and cards there is no time to think about Christmas itself, because we are just too busy.

I feel that we must all take a little time to rediscover Christmas both as adults and young people alike.

It is a good idea to go back and read, ponder and reflect on the birth of the baby Jesus.

More than ever, we need to hear the message of God’s love which radiates from Bethlehem. A Message of Hope, Love and Peace.

We all speak the language of Peace and Joy at Christmas time and yet these things can be hard to find or to put into practise.

Consider the figures of the angels, they remind us of that first Christmas and its significance.

They encourage us that there can be purpose and direction in our lives today. They challenge us to put aside the non-essentials and focus on what is really important. They call us to be Joyful.

Daily life, for us as for the Shepherds all those centuries ago can be all consuming. We are seldom able to at Christmas or at any other time to stop and look around us. It can seem an immense effort to pause and think beyond the immediate situation.

Consider the figures of the Shepherds. They remind us to look, listen and act on what we see. They encourage us to be open, to change, to move on and not to be afraid. They challenge us to take a step outside and beyond daily routine and to see what surprise’s lie in store. They call us to be adventurous.

The media reminds us each Christmas that this is a golden opportunity to spend time with family and friends and yet the happy smiling families we see on posters and on screen are often unrealistic. It seems strangely difficult and risky to express one’s deepest hope and fears.

Consider the figure of Mary. It reminds us to reach out to others in love. It encourages us to take the time to nurture our most important relationships. It challenges us to have faith and patience in all situations it calls us to be vulnerable.

Just as the three kings brought gifts to the baby Jesus, so we give gifts to those who are special to us. And yet the buying of presents can easily become a burden. It is difficult to slow down and enjoy the experience of giving.

Consider the figures of the Kings, they remind us how to celebrate our relationships through our gifts, they encourage us to choose wisely and give as an expression of love. They challenge us to focus on giving rather than receiving. They call us to be generous

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with the flocks,
Then the work of Christmas begins,
To find the lost,
To heal those broken in spirit,
To feed the hungry,
To release the oppressed,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among all peoples
To make a little music with the heart.

Wishing you all a very happy, holy and peaceful Christmas and a joy filled New Year.

Paul Stirling
Headteacher