JourneyOnline
SCHOOL, FOR me, reinforced and complemented the faith that existed within my family.
I attended a Methodist boys’ school in Adelaide where I later returned as a teacher. I viewed some of the teachers there as mentors, but school chaplain Kyle Waters made a lasting impression on me and confirmed my faith and involvement in the church.
Kyle’s combination of personality and faith was infectious. He was an outgoing, exuberant character and he had the most wonderful raucous laugh that lit up the building, not just the room.
Teaching has helped me focus on faith in action.
My wife Antoinette and I have travelled to Fiji and Tonga as missionaries where I was a teacher and we shared our faith.
The Methodist tradition of service is something that has always struck a chord with me – to serve with selflessness. It has been incredibly rewarding.
I’ve always tried to follow what one of my former principals said: “You can be the best pastor only by being the best teacher.”
Volunteering through the Frontier Services Outback Links program is an extension of this. Since retiring from teaching we’ve done five placements in remote Queensland.
I’ve been teaching children mainly of primary school age, some of whom have never been to a school or sat in a real classroom before.
It’s a very different teaching experience but it continues to give me a platform to live my faith.
I strive to be the best I can be and hope the kids will take on the positive from that.
For more information visit www.frontierservices.org/outbacklinks
Name: Peter Morris
Grade: Volunteer and retired teacher
Department: Frontier Services Outback Links
Location: Currently in Outback Queensland
