Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Throughout the Bible we can read of the great impact and influence small actions can have on people and indeed on society. We often see a wonderful paradox where the ‘great are humbled’ and the ‘humble are honoured’.

I came across a Māori whakatauki (proverb) which says ‘Iti te matakahi, pangāia ki te tōtara pakaru ai’ - The wedge may be small but it will split the greatest tōtara..

Something as small as a wedge can have such great impact. James 3 speaks of the same when it says ‘When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.’

1 Corinthians 5: 6 speaks of a ‘little’ yeast affecting all the dough and in Kings a small, seemingly insignificant and unnamed maid, speaks to her great master Naaman about the true God, and through that he is healed. Small David taking on giant Goliath. Even the song ‘Little People’ from Les Miserables shows the ‘might of the slight’.

Why this focus on the small?

It is because what small can achieve: It can cause harm. If a wedge can split a mighty tree, so too a ‘wedge’ can cause disunity within a team; a ‘split’ so too speak. How often in schools, homes and churches, have we seen the sad impact of disunity – churches have split because of a rift. Small words of gossip can lead to a long lasting split in relationships. Small actions of ingratitude can lead to separation of friendship.

‘Small’ compromises in standards or expectations can lead to disastrous practices in the future. Take for example a ‘small’ compromise in the appointment of staff, sacrificing the Christian faith of a teacher just because they are competent; that would inevitably lead a Christian school away from the centrality of Christ.

But small can lead to greatness for God! When we see how God can use the humble; when we see how God can use the humble, the poor in spirit, those in ‘low rank’ (by the world’s standards) to great effect in his kingdom; then we can take heart ourselves and give hope to others.

It is the call to action that as parents and teachers we give to the children and young adults at school. The pupils do not need to start with greatness, they just need to be faithful in the small things and in time these will grow into greatness.

Our society desperately needs people who will influence it for good, to engage in contemporary society from a Christian perspective and who know that even small acts of compassion, of mercy, of love and service can change our society for good.

The beauty as Christians is that we have God’s Word to guide us, comfort us and lead us in the path we should go.

Parents and Caregivers, I implore you to encourage your children in small acts of kindness and courage in the home and in their social activities. Speak into their lives small words of wisdom so that your children, our pupils will grow from small acorns to mighty ‘Oaks of Righteousness – a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.’ Isaiah 61:3

God bless

Richard Vanderpyl

Principal