Acting Principal
Mrs Genevieve Gordon
Building Character: Beyond the Final Score
As our winter activity seasons conclude, many of our students are reflecting on their final games, performances, and milestones. Having had the privilege of coaching two teams that reached their grand finals this year, experiencing both the thrill of victory and the sting of defeat, I have been thinking deeply about what we are truly building in our young people through these pursuits.
Whether it is sport, music, drama, dance, scouts or a part-time job, these co-curricular commitments are never just about winning trophies or being the best. They are about the quiet, daily construction of character.
As parents and educators, our investment in these activities goes far beyond the surface:
• We invest in resilience and discipline: We pay for those exhausting days when our children come home "too tired" to go to rehearsal or practice yet show up anyway. We invest so they learn to push past self-doubt, honor their commitments, and discover that success requires years of hard work rather than overnight luck.
• We invest in teamwork and humility: We invest so they learn to collaborate, support one another, and understand that while an individual can achieve, a united team is vastly stronger. They learn to be gracious in defeat, humble in victory, and respectful toward leaders, judges, and officials.
• We invest in life skills and balance: We invest to give them a healthy break from screens, to teach them time management between schoolwork and practice, and to create moments on the drive home where lifelong memories and real conversations take place.
Ultimately, we are not paying for the activity itself; we are investing in the opportunities that shape our children into young adults who can bless the lives of others.
This truth was powerfully reinforced on Friday when our Year 9 and 10 students welcomed back former St Mary’s student and current Australian Army Sergeant Tobi Griffiths as a guest speaker. Tobi embodies this depth of character.
Opening his talk with the reminder that "purpose isn't something you're born with—it's something you discover by saying yes to opportunities," Tobi shared his Australian Defence Force coin from his march out at Kapooka. Holding up the coin, he explained that its true value isn't financial; it serves as a daily reminder of a personal commitment to work hard, lead by example, and keep learning.
Reflecting on the values instilled by his parents and his time at St Mary’s, Tobi shared key lessons on humility, resilience, compassion, and gratitude:
• "If you're going to do a job..., do it properly." Taking pride in your work applies whether anyone is watching or not, because character is built in the quiet moments away from the applause.
• You don't need to have your entire life figured out today, you simply need to keep making good decisions, learn from the bad ones, work hard, and be kind.
• Don't let fear stop you from taking opportunities, respect people, and don't waste your time.
Tobi left our students with an inspiring challenge: "I hope every single one of you gets the opportunity to stand where I am... and tell your own story."
Hearing how St Mary's helped lay that foundation for Tobi fills our community with immense pride. Whether on the sporting field, the stage, or in the workplace, every hour our students spend persevering through challenges is shaping them into the role models of tomorrow. It is, without a doubt, a great investment.
Mrs Genevieve Gordon
Acting Principal