06 November 2025
I have reflected throughout the year, on the intersections between my Hindu background and the Anglican faith upon which our school is founded. In Hinduism, service lies at the heart of spiritual life, embodied by the concept of seva (selfless service – a way of serving God through humanity) and daan (giving to uplift those in need). These principles beautifully mirror the Anglican calling to serve and advocate for the poor, the marginalised, and the wider community.
As Luke 6:38 reminds us:
“Give, and it will be given to you…For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
The privilege of returning this year to serve the school community has given me so much more than I could have ever imagined. The memories, connections, and lessons given to me are treasures that I will cherish for the rest of my life. In particular, three lessons from this year stand out. Insights that might have taken me many more years to discover had I not been gifted with such a diverse opportunity.
1. Nobody is coming to save you.
You can walk around in that white blazer thinking you’ve made it, but when the responsibility and the spotlight land on you, there’s no hiding. Your actions have a direct impact on a lot of people and that can be scary. What’s even scarier is realising your life is completely up to you. No one is coming to do it for you; you are responsible for the path you take. You can put on an act for everyone in the world, but at the end of the day, when it’s quiet and you’re staring into the mirror, you’ll still ask yourself, “Am I the person I say I am?” Only you have the power to follow through on your decisions and that is the bridge between where you are and the person you want to become.
2. Your opinion is just as important as everyone else’s.
You are allowed to be in the right. That doesn’t mean ignoring the possibility that you might be wrong or refusing to grow, but it does mean trusting yourself. Most of the time, when you think people are judging you, they’re actually thinking about themselves. We are our own harshest critics. It’s a little self-centred to believe others dwell on our mistakes as much as we do. So speak when you have something to say. Be wrong sometimes. Learn. Then keep going.
3. Take every opportunity.
This last one may sound a little cliché, but it’s true for a reason. Every so often in our lives, there will come a choice that has the power to change our trajectory. I had toyed with the idea of applying for school captain at times in Year 12, however I only decided to do it right before the deadline. I wasn’t some extraordinary person with an outstanding resume then, and nor am I now. But by making that decision to take a risk and grab the opportunity, I got the chance to be part of something extraordinary. There are not many certainties in life, but I can guarantee you this one: opportunities rarely come gift-wrapped. They often arrive disguised as uncertainty or fear. Take them anyway. Whatever happens, happens for a greater purpose. Don’t choose the safe, easy option only to look back wishing you’d taken the leap.
I am so incredibly grateful for the journey and especially for the people that have been part of it.
Aadi Mittal
School Captain
