Labyrinths have been around for thousands of years and are often referred to in Greek and Egyptian mythology. Unlike a maze which has a multitude of puzzling paths and direction and can be difficult to navigate, a labyrinth has a single non-branching path which has a clear lead to the centre. Generally these are seen as ‘sacred space’, they are created for walking a journey of thought, meditation and reflection on life.

Bringing our own labyrinth to Saint Kentigern College, a patterned path was cut into the Chapel Lawn – something that would make a fitting statement yet have minimal impact on our beautiful College environment. As the design was regularly mown and carefully manicured by Property Services, the grass grew longer around it and the motif became more apparent. So did the curious second glances from people passing by.

The intention behind the winding path was to conclude the Year 12 Christian Education course and was based on the classical labyrinth which has seven circuits and a cross in the centre. The idea, originally taken from the movie, ‘The Ultimate Gift’ also held the notion of Twelve Gifts as they were presented in the movie. Paving stones were placed every 30m of the 783m pathway posing a question that the students were asked to reflect upon as they quietly walked through the labyrinth: The gift of work, money, friends, learning, problems, family, joy, a dream, giving, gratitude, time and love.

For example, the Gift of Learning: What is something good you have learned this year? Or, The Gift of Problems: Why might some of life’s challenges be seen as gifts?Amongst their thinking during the course, the students were encouraged to consider if they had found joy in their life, and had their life brought joy to others. Virtues such as joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, faithfulness and love were all used in contemplation of their practical, servant-hearted focus, as well as what they might consider to be most important in life.

Now in its fifth year, the labyrinth journey of reflection was a good opportunity for the students to take time to walk, to think and to contemplate on their time at Saint Kentigern College, and what they will take with them that will inform and shape their future.   

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