Compassion

As a Christian school, compassion is at the centre of who we are. Compassion can be defined as that feeling of distress at the suffering of others that is combined with the desire to alleviate it. Watching the World News on any evening shows us a great need for compassion in the world today. Therefore, as the world wrestles with problems, compassion is the solution to these problems. In our chapels and assemblies at Pacific, as well as across our approach to student learning, we aim to grow empathy and compassion in our students.

Jamil Zaki’s brain imaging work at Stanford University shows that we are hardwired neurologically to act with compassion and that being kind to others activates similar reward pathways in the brain as eating chocolate. Our neurochemistry awards us much more when we act in the interests of the group compared to when we act with self-interest. As international citizens our aim should be to develop compassion on a world scale.

A few weeks ago, several students approached me about the plight of Australian farmers. They were very concerned about the drought, and the suffering of the farmers, their families and their animals. They wanted to fundraise as a community to help them and to promote that our farmers were suffering to others. Students often bring many worthy causes to my attention and it shows that our message of compassion for others is getting through.

At OCEANfest members of the community were able to buy a hay bale to help the farmers and recently our Casual Day and collection at the Celebrating Dad’s breakfast raised $1,740.80 for the Drought Angels organisation.  Thank you to the whole community for this support.

Compassion is the radicalism of our time - The Dalai Lama

Mr Brendan Delaney, Director of Students Senior and Middle College