Chaplain's Corner

One of the great blessings of an Oakleigh Grammar education is the many opportunities afforded to our students to grow not only in knowledge and achievement, but also in character, faith and wisdom. Education is ultimately about the formation of the whole person: developing the mind, cultivating the heart, and discovering how the gifts God has given each of us can be used in service of others.

Every student possesses unique God-given talents. As St Paul reminds us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:6). Our responsibility is not to compare our gifts with those of others, but to recognise them with gratitude, develop them with perseverance, and use them with humility.

Throughout school life, students are presented with opportunities in learning, leadership, sport, the arts, service, worship and community life. I encourage our young people to embrace these opportunities. Sometimes growth requires us to move beyond what is comfortable, to take a risk, to participate, and to discover abilities we did not realise we possessed.

Yet, as an Orthodox Christian school, formation cannot be limited to academic or personal success. At the heart of our identity is the call to cultivate faith and a liturgical life. Prayer, participation in the Divine Liturgy, the Sacraments, fasting, service and belonging to the life of the Church help us understand that our talents are not simply for our own advancement. They are gifts entrusted to us by God for the building up of others.

This liturgical life is beautifully expressed in the rhythm of our school community, particularly through moments of shared prayer. A recent highlight was the Whole School Paraklesis Service, prayerfully chanted by our Byzantine Choir, with the heartfelt participation of our Junior School and Early Learning Centre students during their visits to the Church. In these sacred gatherings, our students experienced the unity of the Church across all ages, joining their voices in supplication to the Most Holy Theotokos. Such moments remind us that prayer is not only spoken, but lived forming bonds of faith, reverence and belonging that extend beyond the classroom.

This is particularly meaningful during August as the Church journeys through the Dormition Fast and prepares to celebrate the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos on 15 August. Panagia offers our students and all of us a profound example of what genuine greatness looks like. Her life was marked not by status or recognition, but by humility, obedience, courage and complete trust in God.

At the Annunciation, her response was simple yet extraordinary: “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Panagia placed the gifts, possibilities and direction of her life into God's hands. She reminds us that humility does not mean hiding our gifts. Rather, it means recognising where those gifts come from and allowing God to work through them.

As we continue through the school year, may our students embrace the opportunities before them with confidence and gratitude. May they work hard to develop their talents, remain open to new experiences, support one another, and understand that genuine success is found not only in what we achieve, but in the people we become.

Above all, may the example of Panagia encourage each of us to cultivate a life grounded in prayer, worship and trust in God bringing together Faith and Wisdom so that the gifts we have received may ultimately become gifts offered back to God and to one another.

Through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, may God guide and strengthen our students as they continue to grow in knowledge, faith and love.

With Love in Christ

Rev. Fr. Stavros Kakavas
School Chaplain