29 September 2023
We have been treated to a co-curricular extravaganza of music and sport over the final two weeks of term. On Wednesday, 120 Years 1 and 2 boys showcased their ‘Songs of Creatures Great and Small’ music and dance spectacular with joyful exuberance. On Monday our Junior School House Singing competition was contested with passion, creative choreography and spirited performances. And the Centenary of Sound Music Festival, performed within the sanctity and sacredness of Memorial Hall, most appropriately honoured the aspirations of the families who built this amazing facility 100 years ago. The stunning composition was flawlessly executed across all ensembles leaving the audience wanting more. To select a genre that connected every musician was a real gift to us all and a credit to everyone who supports our musicians. Congratulations to our Year 12 students who performed in their last major concert and thank you for all you have contributed to the SPSC Music Program.
It was great to see our musicians back it up the very next day to compete in our Senior School Athletics Day. Sports carnivals are a regular fixture on school calendars across Australia, but I doubt very few have such a strong sense of warmth and pastoral care, such a strong sense of every student playing a role, such a strong sense of student leadership and importantly such a strong quality of sport participation. To see five high-level, long-standing records broken and participation and elite sports taking place in unison, is a real credit to our School community. Congratulations to record breakers Farr House, Stephen Lacroix-Sneyd (Year 10), Gman Paye (Year 11) and Sandro Puruggana (Year 10) who broke the Under 16 Long Jump record set some 76 years ago. Yesterday’s Achilles Cup victory, our 50th from 51 outings, underscores the success bred from healthy competition, dedication, and commitment.
Our Years 3 to 6 students continued the theme of active participation and House camaraderie into their Sports Day on Tuesday. The impressive drum line march from the Junior School to Caterer Oval set the tone for the day and wonderful House spirit was on display throughout the event.
I thank our dedicated Property Services and Grounds teams who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare our grounds for these athletics events.
Tonight, our Years 11 and 12 students, along with their guests, will come together to celebrate the Blue & White. With origins dating back to 1907 the Blue & White remains a highly anticipated occasion on the School’s calendar and our students appreciate how fortunate they are to attend this special event on campus. I am sure it will be an enjoyable evening for all who attend.
Congratulations to the SPSC students and teams that featured prominently in the Schools Association for Adelaide School Awards evening. And well done to Casper Cai (Year 11) and Alex Koh (Year 11) who have secured a place in the Chemistry and Physics Olympiad Summer School training to be held at the prestigious Australian National University.
I wish you a wonderful break with your family. If you are heading away, travel safely and I look forward to welcoming students back to campus on Tuesday 17 October.
Tim Browning
Headmaster