From the Acting Principal

As we approach the end of Term 3, it’s time to reflect on the experiences we have shared.

During a recent Senior School Assembly, we delved into the age-old idiom, ‘making a mountain out of a molehill’. Though this phrase first appeared in 1548, it reminds us that the challenge of magnifying trivialities is not new—it's a human trait that has spanned generations.

From this vantage, it is important to consider all that we have achieved this Term: The 39 Steps, House Cross Country and Debating finals to name a few. What is significant, is not so much the accolades or podium finishes on offer, but rather, how each of these incredibly impressive events were possible. 

In terms of the Cross Country, students prepared by attending early morning trainings and adopting a steady pace on the day. "The 39 Steps" didn’t just happen overnight. It took countless rehearsals, meticulous refinement and a commitment to excellence. The ability to transition from scenes set in a night club, an apartment, a train, car, farm and police station involved a complex series of steps. Having all this unfold seamlessly on stage required not only practise, but consistent adjustment.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is that none of these endeavours were ever undertaken alone. The Huntingtower community, teachers, coaches and fellow students,  travelled the same journey and were ready to assist. On this point, the value of friendship and companionship should be celebrated. In a study from the University of Virginia (2008) researchers asked participants to stand at the base of a steep hill and estimate how tough it would be to climb. Those standing with a friend gauged the ascent to be less steep compared with those who were alone. Furthermore, the longer the study participants had known their friends, the more gentle they estimated the incline to be. The study highlights the power of companionship in facing challenges and has become known as the Friendship effect. 

So, in summary, as we reflect back on term 3, we have discovered that with the right mix of preparation, strategy and companionship, it is possible to turn a mountain into a series of molehills. 

Mrs Shan Christensen

Acting Principal