Principal's Report

‘It’s easier to build a child than repair an adult’

Last night I had the privilege of joining musical tutors from Orchestra Victoria for dinner. Since Tuesday, they have worked closely with 12 College students and other select local musical students to perfect their talents.  Tonight, they will perform as a full Orchestra from 6.30pm in the Simon’s Auditorium and I encourage you to attend. 

Following the wonderful success of the mOVe program and the College musical, I am reminded of the transcendental power of music.  On my last visit to the home of country music - Nashville, Tennessee, I especially enjoyed an inspiring address by Christian Gospel singer, Amy Grant.  In her closing remarks, Amy suggested we only know if we have succeeded in ‘building a good person’ when we reflect upon ‘their story’ as an adult.   She suggested that we need to help our sons and daughters learn how to frame their lives if they are truly to succeed. We must remind them that there is a ‘beginning’, a ‘middle’ and an ‘end’ and that lots of different people will be part of their journey.  Most importantly, Amy emphasised that ‘their story’ will be made all the richer by how they respond to life when things go wrong.   This resonated so strongly with me as, without doubt, the most difficult aspect of teaching and parenting is letting our children fail.  Yet, this is precisely what we must do in order to help our children grow and develop the precious commodity of resilience.  

It is easier to build a child than repair an adult and we only have one precious chance to succeed.

Dr Andrew Hirst