The past fortnight has offered many examples of what it means to participate fully in the life of our School: to remain curious, express ourselves creatively, serve others, act with courage and show up in support of our peers. Whether through learning, the arts, service or sport, our students continue to demonstrate that education is enriched by the way we engage with opportunities and contribute to the lives of others.
Our commitment to inspiring curiosity was reflected in last week’s visit by astronaut and Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg as our Rex J Lipman Fellow. Katherine spoke at Senior School Muster and Junior School Assembly, met with senior Physics students to discuss space, rocket and human spaceflight, and concluded her visit with a free Public Lecture, where I had the great pleasure of interviewing her. What impressed me most was not simply the depth of Katherine’s expertise, but her generosity and enthusiasm in sharing it.
She encouraged our students to keep asking questions, explore new possibilities and think boldly about how they might contribute to the future. Our Physics Department embraced the spirit of space exploration, bringing the Law of Conservation of Momentum vividly to life with noisy and memorable demonstrations involving high pressure CO₂ which propelled Ms Bennell-Pegg and Mr Jaldiani across the floor of Memorial Hall.
We remain grateful for the legacy of old scholar the late Rex J Lipman AO ED OLH ONM (1922–2015), whose generosity continues to bring exceptional speakers to our community. We look forward to welcoming Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph as our next Fellow on Tuesday 15 September.
The past fortnight has also been a celebration of the arts in all their forms. The SALA Exhibition showcased the creative growth of our students, while the vibrant House performances in Battle of the Bands filled Memorial Hall with colour and sound. Arts Week immersed Year 8 students in new creative experiences, our musicians excelled in the ABODA Music Festival and our jazz ensembles delivered outstanding performances at Gig@the Gov. These events remind us of the important role the arts play in fostering creativity, self-expression and innovation. I thank the staff whose expertise and commitment make these opportunities possible.
We have also witnessed powerful examples of service and courage. Last weekend, our final Mary Mags Dinners of the year brought students, parents and staff together to prepare and serve meals for people experiencing homelessness and cost-of-living pressures. I particularly commend Franco Quaini (Year 12), who has volunteered at every Mary Mags Dinner since Year 10. His sustained commitment over three years embodies our motto, Pro Deo et Patria.
As part of the Captains’ initiatives supporting Wear it Purple Day, Henry Burton, our Vice Captain, spoke openly at Muster about his sexuality and the support he received from his mates during his time at SPSC. I commend Henry for the courage, honesty and generosity he demonstrated in sharing his story in the hope that it might make the path easier for others. His words gave powerful meaning to the week’s fundraising and awareness activities and reminded us of our shared responsibility to ensure every member of our community feels welcomed, respected and valued for who they are.
That same spirit of participation and support will be important in the coming week. From next Wednesday, nine co-curricular activities will be contested across four days as part of the 156th Winter Intercol. I encourage our boys to show up for one another and support their peers across a range of fixtures. Our mission challenges us to take an interest in others, share in their triumphs and disappointments, and value the collective endeavour. I ask all students, whether participating or spectating, to represent the School with humility, integrity and respect.
Yesterday, our Junior School ovals, courts and fields were filled with colour during the annual Winter House Games, and I commend our students for the sportsmanship and camaraderie that contributed to a wonderful day.
I also congratulate Henry Fry (Year 9), who represented South Australia in Hockey at the U15 School Sport Australia Games in Melbourne, and the seven students selected to represent the State at the National Cross Country Championships in Sydney in September: Isaac Sims (Year 4), Abraham Tembel (Year 5), Sam Wells (Year 7), Andrei Chemutov (Year 9), Benjamin Gill (Year 10), Will Cooksey (Year 10) and Shreyus Arramraj (Year 11). Kaien Liu (Year 10) competed for South Australia as part of the U15 Ice Hockey team and will represent Australia at the Pan Pacific Championships in October.
I hope you have an enjoyable weekend, and I look forward to joining you on the sidelines across our Intercol fixtures.
Tim Browning
Headmaster