Dear Parents and Carers

Whenever we talk to our students about courage, we make sure to stress the difference between physical courage and moral courage. As one of our School values, it is important that we all appreciate the vital difference between these two distinct types of courage.

For our students, we want them to display moral courage in all things; the courage to do what is right, to stand up for what is right. We want them to take the side of the weak or the oppressed, and to lift them up. Our model for this is Christ, and is a high standard to meet, but a worthy standard to aspire to.

Physical courage is the act of being brave; to momentarily put aside our concerns for ourselves, and to promote the well-being of another. Danger, spontaneity and action are the usual hallmarks of physical courage.

Whilst these two types of courage are often the two sides of the same coin, they are not always found together. Our desire to right a wrong may inspire us to great acts of physical courage, but those who act courageously are not always good people.

Sometimes our heroes turn out to be very brave; physically strong people of action. Sadly, many of these heroes turn out to be human as well, and as morally frail as most of us. Likewise, many may wish to make the world a better place, but find that they lack the energy, the sense of destiny or the vision to take action. Their hope, their desire for good remains just that.

If we look to the brave for moral guidance, or to the good for acts of heroism, we might be occasionally disappointed. But in their acts of bravery, or kindness, or concern, we can always see courage.