Assessment time!

The big ‘dry’ in South East Queensland has really messed up my sense of time. The Jacaranda trees flowering are normally the warning sign that final year exams are approaching. This year, the trees have long since flowered and just about shed their entire mauve canopy by the end of the September holidays.

It is nonetheless a significant end of year exam season in schools. Our year 12 students are commencing the first edition of external exams in Queensland in many decades. The other year levels will undertake assessment in a variety of modalities as the term progresses. While it is a time of increased stress levels for all students, some will look forward to the report card that follows, while others will dread the thought of it arriving in the hands of their parents.

Having our skills, knowledge and understanding assessed by another is a part of life. From babies having their weight assessed against developmental norms to the elderly having eyesight tested to renew a driver’s license, it is a life-long experience. I always try to remember that it is not about assessing the relative worth of a person, but specific skills or knowledge.

Our loving God has already assessed our relative worth as people. He sent His only Son to die so that we may live eternally with Him. We have already received our report cards from God – they all read A+++++

Peace

Dennis