Message from the Principal
Disappointment Can Be a Step to Success
Journalist and author Madonna King (who visited Calrossy in 2017) recently wrote encouragement for HSC students. What she said was relevant to learners of all ages and is worth repeating, especially in that it echoes the importance of one of our school values – Resilience.
Following the recent U2 concert, Madonna pointed out that this billion-dollar band was rejected by a big record label a year before their debut International single. JK Rowling was knocked back by 12 publishers who thought that the Harry Potter novels would never sell. Oprah Winfrey and Steve jobs were sacked early in their careers, one becoming a world media personality and the other the CEO of Apple. There are countless other examples including Michael Jordan, who did not get selected in his high school basketball team but went on to become the best of the best in the world.
Whilst Ms King was writing of HSC students (and their parents) who are nervously awaiting their ATARS, the message is a universal one.
“Don’t let your first attempt at something define you or determine success.”
It is growth over time and the determination one has to succeed that defines us. Rarely is anything worthwhile achieved at a first attempt.
This week one of our year groups was privileged to hear Samantha Wells, a dual Olympian, who represented Australia in the Aerial Ski Jumping. Her advice was simple and down to earth, based around an acronym of her name:
Set Goals – Set a big goal, make short term targets and commit to daily tasks. (You eat an apple one bit at a time.)
Adjust Your Attitude – Choose to always bring a golden attitude. Be determined to succeed.
Make Your Team – surround yourself with people who support you, who push you and who bring skills and knowledge you don’t have.
In the school context Samantha’s advice encourages students to look to long-term growth, to work as hard as possible, to not be discouraged by short term slow progress or disappointment and to work with your teachers and peers.
School Report time and Speech Days (and exam time for high schoolers) sees many students celebrating their successes but also responding to disappointing results, little recognition or a lower than desired overall performance.
The advice from Madonna King and Samantha Wells is to use the disappointment to set goals ahead, make an action plan and push for improvement, to achieve a realistic goal. This is great advice for those disappointed by their report or a low result in one areas of the curriculum.
Whilst many of us will not represent Australia, get that ATAR of 99.85 or even be the top reader or speller in the class, every individual can improve, achieve a goal or show progress. It is one of the things I love about the intensive weeks of lifesaving and swimming for our students – by the Friday, the students can do so much more than they could on the Monday.
Some music or novel publishers are likely to be still regretting their lost chance of billions in refusing U2 and JK Rowling. What I encourage students from P – 12 is to not let an initial failure or disappointment to define them but to show determination and resilience, qualities that will prove a lifetime benefit in every area of their lives. If one can give their best, there should be no regrets. As parents and carers, we can be part of the cheer squad to encourage this in our children, especially when they have a setback, are frustrated or disappointed. Hopefully like U2, our learners, with resilience, can ‘find what they are looking for!”
“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3: 17
Head Start Day
On each of our campuses recently we enjoyed a day of orientation for new students for next year. We were delighted with the enthusiasm and energy of the students joining us and were pleased with the way they worked with the leaders in both Secondary and Primary. Things look good for 2020 for our school. A highlight of such events for me is the passion and leadership shown by current older Secondary and Primary students, as they assist to orient the newcomers and share their love and passion for the School. It is a delightful aspect of our culture and one we must continue to nurture and recognise. More photos from Headstart