YOU are ACCEPTED (2)

 A seemingly random comment from a Year 9 student pierced our class discussion. 
“My mum said I was a mistake.” 
There was a moment of strained silence and then he added. “My aunty looks after me now.”
The class Teacher Aide replied with words of truth and love to him. “There are no mistakes. You are not a mistake.” His classmates then responded. “You’re cool bro.” “We got you bro.” I didn’t need to say anything and he just smiled and the lesson continued…  
On another occasion a Year 10 student shared with our class about people keeping away from him in a north Hamilton suburb. I stopped the lesson and asked him to come up to me at the front of the classroom. “You are accepted by me and our class.” My voice and heart were breaking but in a good way. We shook hands and when the bell went and the class had left the room the student came up to me again. He shook my hand and thanked me. What a privilege to be a teacher and to be trusted. I hope now as I did then that an inclusive class culture enables and empowers students to share and not be shamed. 

POINTS TO PONDER
The time for encouraging words is always now. A cry for help should always be answered.
We have an individual and collective responsibility to care for the vulnerable. Take a moment to care.
 A love for truth is always beneficial. Help people to be released from lies and hurtful actions and to be free to build lives of meaning and purpose.



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