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Anglican Identity certainly got a guernsey during July and August in the ASC and well beyond. Late July saw The Reverend Dr Daniel Heischman in Perth running forums and seminars for principals, senior staff, governors, students, and chaplains of Anglican schools on how we live out our Anglican Identity. The well-known list of markers of Anglican Identity developed by Dr Heischman from an Australian consultation in Anglican schools in 2018 were expanded in each forum and seminar. The markers developed into faith and reason, scripture and tradition, worship and community, welcome and inclusivity, service and practice, pastoral and character care, questions and curiosity, bonding and bridging, and generosity and humour. This focus on deepening our consideration of the identity of Anglican schools continued at the Anglican Schools Australia (ASA) Conference in Melbourne in early August, aptly named ‘Embracing our AI’ (with ‘AI’ referencing Anglican Identity). Each Keynote speaker connected beautifully into the Anglican Identity theme. The Right Reverend Dr Vincentia Kgabe spoke of AI in the lives of the Anglican schools of the Diocese of Lesotho in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Sophie Renton, Social Researcher at McCrindle, made data on religious affiliation and identity among young people in Australia come alive. Kim Brennon AM, Partner with Management Consultancy EY and medal winning Olympian, took us well beyond sport into the identity markers that make us fully human. Paul Jarman, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and choirmaster, had us all on our feet singing together, thus demonstrating the power of music and the human voice in shaping a collective identity in our Anglican Schools. The conference workshops offered also overtly linked into AI and the nature of Anglican schooling in Australia, contributing to a coherent and engaging conference for Anglican leaders, teachers, and Chaplains. Eleanor O’Donnell Image: The Right Reverend Dr Vicentia Kgabe |
