You are the light of the world.
A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 
No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket,
but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus’ message to his followers in last Sunday’s gospel is as powerful for Year 8 students in 2023 as it was to his disciples in the first century: embrace your giftedness and make the world better for all the opportunities it presents to you. For students who had completed their first full year of school since they were in Grade 4, Year 7 was an especially significant experience, making the beginning of Year 8 particularly challenging.

On the day of their return to school, I spoke to the year level about one of my favourite children’s books: John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat, which is the tale of an elderly widow named Rose whose friend and companion is a dog, named John Brown. John Brown is a loyal friend and caretaker for Rose, looking out for her as best he can. One night, Rose thinks she hears a cat out in the garden. John Brown assures her that it is not a cat. When Rose goes to bed, he goes outside and confronts the noisemaker, who really is a cat. John Brown, jealous at the thought of someone else receiving Rose’s attention, tells the cat to stay away.

When Rose realizes that there is indeed a cat outdoors, she cares for it by leaving a bowl of milk outside the front door. Each night a jealous John Brown tips the milk bowl over. One morning, Rose does not get out of bed. She feels ill and tells John Brown that she will not be getting up. John Brown worries about Rose all day. Finally, he enters her room and asks if the cat would make her feel better. When Rose replies, “Oh, yes!” John Brown brings the cat in. The end of the story finds a contented Rose, John Brown and the eponymous Midnight Cat relaxing and enjoying the quiet in front of the fire — and one another’s company!

John Brown is just like a Year 7 students at the end of the year who is feeling worried about what might happen in 2023 and doesn’t want to share the friends they have made in Year 7. They want to stay in the same Homeroom; they are happy and safe there and don’t want this to change. They are around friends, and they like being in a comfortable, happy classroom with teachers they feel safe with. However, if they don’t change and accept new people and welcome new experiences, they will never fully become the person that God is calling them to be.

Once John Brown accepted the Midnight Cat and made her welcome, he became contented and happy. He also made a new friend and developed a new and better relationship with Rose. So not only did he still have Rose, but he also had a new friend in the Midnight Cat.

My challenge to the Year 8 students at the beginning of this year is not to think as John Brown did when he first saw the Midnight Cat. Instead of being afraid of the changes that will come in Year 8, welcome and embrace them.

Throughout 2023 there will be many opportunities for Year 8 students to be a light to Kilbreda College, such as being a Class Captain, an SRC Representative, a member of the FIRE Carriers group or participating in the volunteer Foreshore Program. With the grace of God to guide them, their families and the staff of Kilbreda College, they can look forward to an exciting and successful year ahead.

Bill Fitzsimons
Level Leader: Year 8