24 May 2024
As a school, it is our role to consistently reinforce the ideals of our community to our students: their moral formation, the importance of living a disciplined, focused life, adopting a growth mindset and to never stop learning. Your sons will hear these messages repeatedly throughout their SPSC journey, and it is important that they hear them from a variety of voices. During adolescence, as part of their search for identity, they need to identify role models they want to listen to – and parents don’t be disheartened to discover it’s unlikely to be you for parts of adolescence. Let your sons believe they are hearing these important messages for the first time from key role models; important messages that align with our community values of truth, respect and service and our endeavour to create an exceptional community of learning.
A recent example is last week’s visit to students in Years 5 to 12 by former AFL footballer and old scholar Phil Davis (YNG 2008). Phil spoke about the three elements of his success: a strong work ethic, discipline and a growth mindset. His message was one that our students should have found familiar, but if it wasn’t, and that was the first time they were truly hearing it, then I am delighted. Phil’s words served as a powerful reinforcement, especially those that challenged society’s stereotypical views on masculinity.
Last week we celebrated the rich diversity our boarders bring to our community during National Boarding Week. By sharing their stories, our day students and staff gained a deeper appreciation of the challenges encountered in leaving home prematurely, sometimes as young as 12 and often from vastly different cultures. I pay respect to all boarders and their families for the sacrifices they make and for choosing to be part of our boarding community. Community is one of our nation’s greatest challenges this century. Yet our boarders rise above the challenge of residing in a community, different from their own, to forge a path of independence, maturity, and personal growth. Through navigating daily connections, they grow to understand the compromise, love, patience and understanding one needs to thrive in a close community. Congratulations to Year 11 students Russell Tan and Ben Allen for addressing the entire Senior School with such confidence.
Thank you to our boarding parents for entrusting us with the care of your sons and for being such an integral part of our community. Equally vital to our community are our passionate parent groups and volunteers who foster fellowship and connections among parents, guardians and staff and enrich the experiences of our students. During National Volunteer Week, we recognise and celebrate the many members of our community who generously volunteer their time and expertise to help create a vibrant and nurturing school environment.
Each year, hundreds of community members give of their time to a myriad of activities such as listening to boys read, working in the Recycled Uniform Shop, accompanying students to prepare meals for the homeless, catering for hungry boys at sporting events, organising large-scale community events and hosting bottle and plate evenings. The endless list of contributions reflects the diverse passions and talents within our community. Thank you to all our volunteers!
Congratulations to the following students who excelled in the AMEB Exams and were recently presented with awards at a ceremony in Elder Hall: Joey Yan (Year 12) – Theory of Music Grade 6 Prize, Ryan Weinert (Year 9) Certificate of Performance in Piano, Lohit Byka (Year 7) Grade 2 Brass ABODA Prize, Luke Hui (Year 6) Horn Grade 6 Prize, Sebastian Chen (Year 6) Violin Grade 4 Prize and Oscar Ma (Year 5) the George Pearce Memorial Award.
The challenge has been issued to our Senior School boys to get involved in next year’s musical, Strictly Ballroom to be performed with Walford Anglican School for Girls. This will be one of our most physically challenging productions. As such a musical ‘pre-season’ starts in June with auditions to be held in Term 4. Interested students should contact Ms Cook.
I hope you have an enjoyable weekend.
Tim Browning
Headmaster