Heroes

Let’s play a little word association game. When you hear the word 'heroes', what, or whom do you think of? 

Does it reignite memories of the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 when Vanessa Amorosi belted out the line “heroes live forever”? Does it bring up flashes of a mid 2000s superhero television series? Maybe the mention of 'heroes' makes you think of significant people throughout history who have contributed in a positive way; or maybe it makes you think of people in your life that have impacted you personally. 

The Year 12 PROPEL class are embarking on their final English Studies module, Local Heroes. We started by identifying what constitutes a thriving community, why heroes are held in such high regard, and what attributes elevate a regular person to hero status. The group came to a consensus that although heroism can manifest itself in many ways, there are traits that all have in common. 

Heroes are selfless. Heroes are courageous. Heroes are inspiring. Heroes show integrity. Heroes have vision. Heroes are humble. Heroes are resilient. 

Each of us hopefully have people who we can identify as personal heroes; people we aspire to be like. Having just spent Mother’s Day celebrating some pretty amazing women in my own life, I’m reminded that it is a blessing to be surrounded by inspirational people. My mum taught me so much about myself, the importance of making people feel valued, and the power in seeing and affirming the heroic qualities in others, even if they don’t yet see it in themselves. 

As a teacher I have the privilege of seeing young people at a time of their life when they are discovering who they are and who they want to be. Those who have pivotal people speaking positivity into their lives, recognising current attributes, and cultivating potential, often grow into the adults that those influential people believed they could be. Relationship, acknowledgement, journeying, affirming, and self-belief are the building blocks of the next generation of heroes. 

The Bible reminds us of the importance of affirming one another in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “encourage one another and build each other up”, so I challenge all of us to do the following:

1. Tell someone that you recognise a heroic quality in them, even if they don’t yet see it in themselves. 

2. Affirm those who are changing their corner of the world by using their God-given gifts and talents. 

3. Remember that even heroes are human.

I’m grateful to have many people in my life who I look up to; heroes to myself and others. Thank you, and I will make more of an effort to let you know that I appreciate you. 

Mrs Christie Venegas
PROPEL Teacher