From the Leadership Team

Jon Williams, Deputy Head of Senior School

Kilvington core values - respect, curiosity, perseverance and compassion

The core values of Kilvington - respect, curiosity, perseverance and compassion - are proudly displayed on almost every door or window throughout the School. Their presence everywhere is symbolic of their central importance to all that we do as a community. 

I was reminded recently of how fortunate we are to be part of such a diverse, vibrant and connected community that lives out these ideals each day. My morning began with an enrolment interview, where we emphasised the importance of these values in the daily lives of our staff and students. 

Soon after, I had the opportunity to sit alongside our Year 10 students as part of their RISE character program, conducting mock interviews designed to build confidence, self-awareness and the skills to step bravely into future opportunities. Their perseverance in tackling challenging questions, as well as their compassion in encouraging one another, was inspiring.

Later that day I ventured into a Prep classroom as the mystery reader, sharing a new favourite book of mine, The Snail and the Whale. The boundless curiosity of our youngest students makes these visits incredibly rewarding, with a seemingly endless round of questioning following the story. 

That afternoon, I watched the Years 8 and 9 Girls Football Team secure their place in the grand final of the EISM competition. The game was hard-fought, with the opposition mounting a strong late surge, but our students held their nerve. Their perseverance, respect for one another and determination to keep pushing until the final whistle paved a path to victory. It was a wonderful display of grit, teamwork and encouragement, and a powerful reminder of how sport can bring our values to life in such a tangible way.

From there, I visited students preparing for the Tournament of Minds competition after school, where perseverance and curiosity were again on full display as they refined their ideas, collaborated with patience and respect, and encouraged each other to think boldly.

 The day concluded with parent-teacher interviews, a reminder of the compassion and respect that lie at the heart of genuine partnership between families and staff.

These everyday experiences reminded me that our values are not abstract ideals, but living principles that shape who we are and, more importantly, who we are becoming. To witness them in action in classrooms, interviews, competitions and conversations is to be reminded of the great privilege it is to be part of this School.