Archbishop of Sydney

Teachers

By + George Pell
ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY
24 February 2002

My friend recalled that when he was in Year 12 his mother was quite sick. He must have looked worried or preoccupied in class, and this teacher spoke to him afterwards, saying simply "If you'd like to have a yarn, I'm here."

My mate did not take him up on the offer, but more than 40 years later he remains grateful for this teacher's insight, concern and offer to help.

The new school year is well underway now, and it is not unusual for parents to utter a sigh of relief when the summer holidays come to an end. But for parents with children just beginning school, either at the primary or secondary level, there may be a temptation to lament the passing of the years and how quickly kids grow up.

Teaching is an important responsibility. Children are our most precious asset, the most important part of our community, because they represent the future.

Schools are important agents of socialization for the community. For small families schools have become more important, with other students knocking the rough edges off each other in a similar way to brothers and sisters in a big family.

Schools also exercise a powerful influence on their students, and there is no doubt that a bad school can do damage.

Education has always been a great way to help children have a better chance in life, and there is no doubt that in the twenty-first century education will be the passport to participation. This makes teachers' roles even more important.

Teaching and learning require good methods, equipment and buildings. But personal example is also crucial to both to a teacher's effectiveness and for the model of adult life he or she provides.

Teachers have to be just, competent and compassionate. This is perhaps even more the case today when there is often less formality and distance between teachers and pupils to help in maintaining discipline.

It is a pity that the numbers of men in primary schools are diminishing. Extended families are often dispersed and with the rise of single parent families, usually headed up by mum, good male role-models are needed, especially for boys but also for girls.

We are slowly beginning to realise that men are in trouble, and some of this stems from the absence of good male guidance for boys as they grow up. There is no equivalent of the feminist movement for men yet, but we need to take this problem seriously if we want to tackle problem like the high numbers of young men being imprisoned at the moment.

Most kids are happy to go to school today. The was much less true seventy-five years ago, perhaps even fifty years ago. At the same time, parents remain concerned about the standards of discipline and the sort of things being taught in the schools.

Teaching is a great vocation. It is not too well paid GÇ" although it is better paid than it once was GÇ" but the spiritual rewards are tremendous, especially for those who genuinely love kids and want to help them do well.