Wellbeing - Senior School

Like many Australians who love sport, I have been enthralled by the current edition of the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow. Viewing events as they unfold or the overnight highlights often rekindles childhood memories of watching Matilda the Kangaroo at the opening of the Brisbane games in 1982 and then watching sporting legends such as Raelene Boyle, Rob de Castella, Lisa Curry, Neil Brooks and Dean Lukin win gold medals.

I have always been fascinated and inspired by the back stories of the athletes, whose experiences come to light as they chase ‘glory’ in their chosen field. The current group of athletes in Glasgow will have similar stories - years of dedication and sacrifice to achieve their ‘sporting dream,’ hours of training and overcoming setbacks, both physical and emotional. 

To hear these athletes recount how their achievements would not have been possible without the support of family, coaches and friends is testament to the idea that it ‘takes a village to raise a child.’ For many, these games will be a springboard to the LA Olympics in 2028.

Irrespective of the sporting context, the experiences of the athletes from all countries can serve as inspiration and template for our students as they work and play through the semester and beyond; a willingness to pursue and achieve a dream: setting short and long-term goals, applying themselves in the classroom, stage, workshop or sporting field; being resilient in the face of setbacks such as injury or adversity and supporting each other in a collective effort to achieve those goals.

In their own way, the Year 12 students are experiencing the build up to their own Commonwealth Games as they undertake Trial HSC over the next two weeks. We wish them all the best as they undertake the examinations and as they continue to prepare for the HSC examinations in October.

Robert Simpson

Director of Senior School