The Power of Small Acts
by Dean of Identity and Community, Mr Lachlan Heshusius
In sport, we often celebrate the big moments; the winning goal, the championship victory or the record-breaking performance. Yet sometimes it is the small gestures away from the spotlight that leave the most lasting impression.
When Australian tennis champion Ash Barty was at the height of her career, stories frequently emerged about the way she treated people around her. Whether it was taking time to speak with young fans, thanking ball kids and tournament staff or quietly supporting community initiatives, Barty consistently showed that character is revealed not only in victory, but in everyday actions.
These moments rarely make the headlines, but they remind us that true leadership is often expressed through small acts of kindness and humility.
Within the Lauries community, we see this same spirit lived out every day.
Faith in Action at St Laurence’s College encourages students to recognise that service is not always about doing something extraordinary. Sometimes it is as simple as giving up a little time, offering support to someone in need or stepping forward to help when an opportunity presents itself. These small moments of generosity build a culture of care and solidarity within the College and beyond.
However, some of the most powerful moments of service are the ones that are never organised or announced. They simply happen in the everyday life of the College.
I am always deeply impressed when I see a student quietly tutoring another boy in the library, giving up his own time to help a mate understand a difficult concept. Or when a student notices a teacher struggling with a heavy box and immediately offers to carry it to their office. At other times it might be a student holding the door for others, helping someone who has dropped their books or checking in on a friend who may be having a difficult day. These moments often go unnoticed, yet they speak volumes about the character of the young men in our community.
Students also have many opportunities to live out this spirit of service of the College. Whether through supporting their House in Action initiatives or becoming involved in the many service opportunities offered through the Edmund Rice Society, students are encouraged to look beyond themselves and respond to the needs of others.
As Year 12 Sion student Lachlan Lerner reflects,
“For me, it’s often the small things that stick with you. It might be something simple like playing a board game with a Year 7 student in Home Class and helping him feel a bit more settled at the College. Or heading down to Emmanuel City Mission and just helping out where you can. Those moments remind you that you don’t always need to do something big; sometimes just giving your time or showing up can make a real difference.”
Similarly, Year 11 Nagle student Eddie Gore highlights how these experiences shape the way students see the world. Reflecting on his experience during the India Alive Immersion, Eddie shared that one of the most powerful lessons came through something incredibly simple. While visiting the community in Puri, where many families live with the impacts of leprosy, the group spent time with young people from the community. A simple game of cricket, something so familiar to Australian students, quickly became a moment of shared joy and connection.
As Eddie explains,
“Being involved in service reminds us that we’re part of a bigger community. It encourages us to think about others and how we can help, even in small ways. In Puri, something as simple as playing cricket together brought so much joy. It showed me that you don’t always need to do something big to make a difference.”
These acts of service reflect the values at the heart of the Edmund Rice tradition; standing in solidarity with others and responding with compassion to those in need. While a single act may seem small, when multiplied across a community, its impact can be significant.
Perhaps this invites a simple reflection for families in the Lauries community: What small act of kindness could we choose this week? It might be helping a neighbour, offering time to someone who needs support or encouraging one another to notice opportunities to serve.
True service is not always found in the big moments. Often, it is found in the quiet choices we make each day to notice others, to lend a hand and to care. Through these small acts of kindness, the Lauries community continues to build a culture of generosity, respect and compassion.