Principal's Report

Ballarat High School students epitomise our school motto ‘Duty Always’ in so many ways. It is very much a defining idea of what it is to belong to our school. It may not be something that is repeated daily and to some it may seem like an archaic phrase from a bygone age.  However, I see it present in the actions of our students and the culture that they create within our school.

Present in our school since 1907, this motto has served as a reminder of the duty we owe to those that have come before us and our place within the wider community. It is connected to the idea that we all have a part to play in the story of BHS, as well as the opportunities we have to make things better for the people who matter to us. In writing this column, I am lucky enough to have a constant and rich source of examples to draw upon of how our students make a difference. In fact, there is more that doesn’t make it into these columns than what goes in:  such as the bravery shown by students speaking out for what they know is right; the support our students provide each other when things are tough; the perseverance shown in the face of adversity. Duty can also be the obligation that we have to ourselves to be the best versions that we can be and that is something that all students can strive for and achieve.

This afternoon, I’ll see the duty shown towards each other by our footy and soccer teams as they represent our school; tomorrow, girls’ football and boys’ netball teams will represent our school; earlier in the week our athletes competed and excelled. However, no matter whether they win, lose or draw our students will always give their best and show that sense of duty to their peers. 

The media tends to paint this generation of young people as irresponsible and disrespectful: that’s not what I see at Ballarat High School. There is so much good in our school; so much potential within our students; and so many examples of them being the best that they can be. 

There is no real equivalent to ANZAC Day in the UK: Remembrance Sunday comes close, but it does not have the level of community involvement or support that is seen in Australia. Last Friday I saw the Ballarat Community come together to honour those who had shown duty to others. This year, Charlie Hann and Emity Howlett were given the privilege of reading out the names of those Ballarat citizens, many of whom were only a few years older than them when they died. Along with Grace Grimmond, who placed the wreath, they represented our school and community with great pride in front of a large and respectful crowd. Thank you also to Elise Slade and Isabelle Strawhorn for their part in the Cenotaph Service. As School Leaders, they each have a role to play in influencing our school, and I am grateful for their willingness to connect with the wider community in remembering those who gave up their lives in service.

At the time of publication of this newsletter we will be participating in the student driven World’s Greatest Shave event that takes place on Friday. I remember experiencing this event for the first time at BHS last year and recall how inspirational it was. The fundraising aspect and the events act as a focal point for students to engage in the day, but it was the sharing of stories and the inspiration behind our students getting involved which had the greatest impact. At some point in their lives, each of our students, if they have not already, will face challenges and loss and it is the role of a community to provide support. We have to hope that, through our actions-individually and collectively-we can make a difference and influence tomorrow. The money raised funds lab equipment to aid research, provides money for transport and places to stay to help families access treatment and contributes to personalised treatment that gives children the best chance of survival.

The day will no doubt touch many within our community, but the ripple effect will resonate in the lives of others that we will never meet. Duty seeks no further reward than knowing we have done the right thing. I am proud of all the students and staff who get involved in any aspect of our school and seek to promote that idea that we can make a difference however big or small. The ‘duty’ that we have to make things better resides in the actions of our students and they are the culture that we are proud of.

Stephan Fields

Principal