This blog aims to explore the deeper significance of hope and purpose - two powerful concepts that are foundational to human flourishing. They are not abstract ideals reserved for lofty aspirations, but real, present and transformative forces that shape how we live, act, and grow.

Hope - a vision that sustains

Hope is a vision of a better future. It is not an escape from struggle, but the belief that meaning can be found through it.
David Brooks

In The Road to Character, David Brooks (2015) writes that hope is not the naive belief that everything will be fine, but a deeper trust that transformation is possible, even through hardship. Hope, he says fuels the moral courage to face our flaws, endure suffering, and grow through failure. He profiles figures like Frances Perkins and Dwight Eisenhower, who demonstrated hopeful realism, a clear view of difficulty coupled with faith in redemption and perseverance.

Hope is born from meaning. It grows when we understand ourselves as unique and purposeful, created not by accident, but with intention. As Hannon and Peterson (2021) describe, hope is ‘the agency of possibility’ the belief that something good lies ahead.

Crucially, hope is not passive. It’s not mere optimism. It is active, demanding imagination, trust, and courage. It gives us the will to try again, to move forward and to become more.

Purpose – a path that calls us forward

Purpose, according to Brooks, is not something we create out of thin air - it is something we discover. It arises through commitment, discipline, and service to something greater than ourselves. It pulls us out of self-interest and into meaningful responsibility.

Kurt Hahn, the founder of Round Square and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, believed that purpose is rooted in service to others. His philosophy emphasised that real growth comes through assuming responsibility beyond the self, seeing one's actions as part of a larger moral and social fabric.

Purpose answers the ‘why’ behind what we do. It’s the motivating force that guides our choices, formed not just in grand moments, but in the quiet decisions of everyday life such as speaking up for a friend, choosing integrity over convenience or stepping out of one’s comfort zone. These moments are like brushstrokes on the canvas of character, slowly revealing the bigger picture of who we are becoming.

The interaction of Hope and Purpose

Hope without purpose can become wishful thinking. Purpose without hope can feel heavy and burdensome. But when the two come together, they ignite something powerful.

Hope gives us vison.
Purpose gives us direction.
Together, they inspire action rooted in meaning.

We want our students to live life filled with hope - a compelling vision for a more just, compassionate, and joyful world and to be driven by purpose, grounded in values that are true, noble, right, and admirable. These virtues shape not only who they are, but what they do.

Hopeful and Purposeful Education

Michael Fullan (2018) and his colleagues advocate for an educational model grounded in hope and purpose. They argue that education should not merely transmit knowledge but should help students discover their unique talents, passions, and the difference they can make in the world. By engaging students in real-world problem-solving, we connect learning to life and cultivate a deep sense of agency and responsibility.

Fullan also speaks of ‘learned hopefulness’, a hope that grows when students see real progress toward meaningful goals. This hope is nurtured by supportive environments, equitable practices, and deep learning experiences that emphasise well-being, strengths and belonging.

Pietsch (2018) adds another layer, describing education as a journey of becoming, the lifelong formation of both intellectual and moral character. Within a Christian worldview, this journey is shaped by virtues such as love, humility, courage, and wisdom - values that foster not just achievement, but purpose and hope for both the present and eternity.

Conclusion.

Hope and purpose are not distant ideals. They are real, present, and necessary. When united, they shape a life of integrity, humility, and deep meaning. We must help our students to live these truths. To see themselves as capable of meaningful action. To grow in hope through resilience and trust, and to discover and live with purpose through values, service, and community. In doing so, they are not only preparing for the future, but they are also helping to shape a better world now.

Reference List

Brooks, D. (2015). The Road to Character. Random House.

Flavin, M. (1996). Kurt Hahn’s Schools & Legacy. To Discover You Can be More and Do More than You Believed. The Middle Atlantic Press, Delaware.

Fullan, M., Quinn, J., & McEachen, J. (2018). Deep learning: Engage the world change the world. Corwin SAGE Publishing Company

Hannon, V., & Peterson, A. (2021). Thrive: The purpose of schools in a changing world. Cambridge University Press.

Pietsch, J. (2018). Character reborn: A philosophy of Christian Education. Anglican Education Commission

Peter Gibson

Peter Gibson is the Head of Character Education at Barker College. Previously, Head of Senior School (Deputy Principal) at Shellharbour Anglican College and Head of Boarding at Trinity Grammar School, he is a highly experienced educational leader. Peter has led school communities in the development of academic performance built on a Growth Mindset approach to learning. He has been successful in leading the development of the pastoral care programs and has extensive breadth of experience and expertise in co-curricular activities. In his current role, he is leading an exciting innovation in developing the concept of Character and Enterprise Education as well as the implementation of Round Square K-12.