Message from the Principal

Character and Substance

Sitting behind the Calrossy Mission Statement is the idea that the School encourages growth of young men and women through a culture of character development. What does this mean? A number of years ago a SMH column by Julia Baird, discussing New Year resolutions, quoted historian Joan Jacobs Brumberg in comparing the resolutions and hopes of adolescents one hundred years ago to those today. Brumberg found that whilst in the late 1800s people wanted to hone their characters, and become kinder, more disciplined and respectful, the modern obsession is about looks and trying to be ‘hot’! 

Instead of resolving to work seriously, be self-restrained in conversations and actions or interested in others, Ms. Baird suggested that modern desire appears more related to physical looks. She quoted a 1890s Pennsylvania girl: ''I am striving daily to build up a beautiful whole character. I fail often but am determined to persevere.'' 1.

Baird questioned whether our society is losing the ability to talk to each other about character. I am pleased that in our School our culture goes beyond academic learning, also focussing on the importance of personal character. In the ‘Covid’ era, if ever a society was crying out for members who value honour, humility and service, it is ours. Qualities such as integrity, resilience, selflessness, courtesy, love, courage, dealing with disappointment, facing hardship and self-sacrifice are the building blocks of an effective contribution to society. Adults with these qualities impact hugely on communities. The process of developing character starts at birth.

Calrossy values a wide range of virtues including grace, integrity and justice and striving to grow whole people (intellectually, physically, socially, spiritually, in creative expression and in wisdom). 

For both parents and staff, ‘the how’ of shaping character can be a challenge, though Ms Baird leaves some hints in her article: she suggests we tell stories to our young and show examples that demonstrate the importance of character and self-service.

She advocates telling “each other and our children about the qualities we admire; the great acts, the small gestures, the signs of respect for strangers, flashes of great humanity, and decades spent labouring for the disadvantaged that should shape our thinking about the people we want to be.”  Added to this is allowing our young people to face hardship, experience challenge (and sometimes failure), get themselves out of their own messes and learn the value of hard work and integrity. Instead of simply doing everything for our young, making the path smooth before them, the suggestion is that we guide our children towards independence and mature character development.

Of course, shaping character doesn’t happen by accident or chance, nor is it easy. Much research also suggests that strong relationships between children and their parents are known to promote and support positive development and increase levels of resilience, especially for adolescents. Positive interactions with teachers and a feeling of being valued and supported at school may also strengthen resilience. Consequently, it is imperative that high-quality relationships and communication exists between school and home as both are critical aspects of a young person’s resilience. A spin-off is that good character promotes academic outcomes as learning is not always easy and determination assists in the process.

Whilst it is very normal and absolutely okay to want to look good and be attractive in appearance, it is my hope that our students may also recognise the importance of growing to be men and women of attractive character and substance, making a difference to others around them, both now and into the future.

James 1: 2 – 4  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Romans 5: 2b – 5. We boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.

1. & 2. Good, better, best, never let it rest, Julia Baird, Sydney Morning Herald, December 29, 2012, http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/good-better-best-never-let-it-rest-20121228-2bz6e.html#ixzz2LRDN291W

David Smith

Principal