On the 9th of August 1173, construction began on one of the most famous towers in the world. A generous widow bequeathed enough stones to lay a foundation, and within a few years, a ground floor with a blind arcade was established. In 1178 engineers added another floor in marble.

Pretty soon they noticed that something was not quite right. Things looked a bit off. It turned out the foundations on one side were sinking.

So – like many of us who encounter a problem – they left it alone for a while. Almost 50 years in fact. “It’ll settle down,” they thought. And settle it did; enough for someone to start adding more to it in 1233. Construction continued throughout the 13th century, during which someone had the bright idea that if you made one side higher than the other that would ultimately level things out.

This sort of worked. However, it relied on the tower only leaning in one direction. Which it didn’t. So the subsequent construction both caused the tower to curve and added weight to the foundations which meant they sunk deeper and in different directions.

By 1319 there were seven floors - and in the spirit of ”stuff it, we’re committed now” - they added a bell tower with seven bells. The bells alone weighed an extra 10 tonnes - which is the same weight as the largest bomb ever made - the “Grand Slam”. Just saying. What could possibly go wrong?

At that stage the tower had been leaning for almost 200 years and already attracted a lot of attention.

It remains famous today, in part, because everyone likes to see someone else’s mistake. It’s remarkable on many levels - most of them slightly angled. The word Pisa means “swampy ground.” The town’s name means “low plains prone to flooding.” Strangely, it is not the only building in the town that leans… Moreover, it was partially built with stolen money, and you’re not even allowed to ring the bells anymore.

Now, I know some of you get frustrated with building consent, but sometimes, questions have to be asked.

Our foundations matter and this beautiful school invites us to build on the three virtues that many of you have pinned on your blazers.

Veritate Simplicitate Fidelitate

By truthfulness, by straightforwardness, by loyalty. Or perhaps more literally - truth, simplicity and faithfulness.

Jesus said: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Or, at the very least, it will lean precariously and may make people both amused and anxious. You may be considered a high-risk zone and roped off for everyone’s safety.

So, whatever you are building your life on, make sure that these virtues are in the right places to help keep you upright –

Speak the truth, but do it with kindness. Throughout your life, you will encounter lies and liars: those who cannot tell the truth and those who will not tell the truth. You will need truth in your own life to keep you safe; you will need it in the world to create a future. So speak up for climate change and social injustice.

Live simply. The world constantly tells us we need more. The only thing we need more of is sharing. So, be grateful for what you have, look for opportunities to share with others, and try not to complicate your life. (Not everything benefits from being left alone for 50 years.)

Remain faithful. God is good, just and loyal - even when we can’t see it. Be a great friend, a loyal partner, and someone who can be relied upon. That’s one way to change the world - so make your difference.

Finally, may you draw strength and security from the foundations of those who came before you and those who gather around you now. May such foundations enable you to speak the truth, live simply, and remain faithful. Amen.