Acting Head of Students News

Excellence is a Direction

In schools right now, the theme of reflection applies to all of us. With assessments having recently been completed many boys are likely thinking about where they can improve - academics, friendships, or how they have handled the challenges that, have come their way this year. As teachers, we might be asking ourselves whether we have done enough to prepare our boys for their assessments. End of term is often a time of pressure, but it is also a time of opportunity for growth.

Reframing the way, we think of excellence can be incredibly powerful. Excellence isn’t a point we arrive at, a final moment of perfection, or an end goal. Instead, it’s a continuous journey—a commitment to improvement, growth, and perseverance. Every step we take in pursuit of knowledge, every challenge we face and overcome, and every new skill we develop is part of this journey toward excellence. Excellence is a direction, not a destination.

Think of it like this: if you asked someone how to get to Brisbane from Gold Coast, they probably wouldn’t give you detailed step-by-step instructions. Instead, they would tell you to hop onto the highway and head south. From there, you will figure out the turns, the roadblocks, and offramps as they come. But as long as you keep going in the right general direction, you will eventually get where you need to be.

The same is true for our goals. We won’t always know the exact steps to take to reach success, but as long as you’re moving in the direction of excellence—whether it’s in your studies, your sports, or your friendships, —you’ll find yourself getting closer to where you want to be. And the best part is, every single degree you turn toward excellence is a positive one. You don’t have to make giant leaps or wait for the perfect moment. Every small shift, every effort, is progress. It’s a bit like turning a ship.

This idea isn’t daunting, and that’s what makes it so powerful. Excellence is achievable for all of us, and it doesn’t demand perfection. Whether you shift a few degrees today or take a bigger step tomorrow, it all counts.

Take it from me—boys I teach know I’m terrible at handing marking back on time. I know I need to be better! But instead of taking an all-or-nothing approach, I’ve realised I need make a few small shifts toward administrative excellence and mark a few scripts here and there . This might seem like a trivial example, but it’s exactly the point. Of course, I also want to be a better father, teacher, and friend, so I must apply this concept

to all aspects of my life. This could mean putting my phone away more often when I'm at home and actually listening to my kids rather than just being able to repeat their last line back to them when asked, “Are you listening?”

So the challenge? What are the one or two degree shifts you are willing to make? And perhaps more powerfully, and harder to answer, what are the small one or two degree turns you’re not willing to make? It’s essential to confront those areas of resistance, as they often hold the keys to our growth.

In a school, where competition is a big part of the culture, it’s important to remember that excellence isn’t just about individual achievement. It’s about how we support each other, how we grow as a community, and how we contribute to something bigger than ourselves. Excellence is a direction that every one of us can move toward—no matter where we start or what challenges we face.

As we all look ahead to what’s next, remember: excellence is a direction, not a destination. It’s something you choose every day, with every action and every decision. Keep moving in that direction, step by step, and know that each small effort is building something greater—within you, your school, and in the world around you.