"This is going straight to the pool room!"

It's one of the most memorable lines from the iconic Australian movie: The Castle.  In our house, though, the equivalent is a little more practical: we stick things on the fridge.

Awards, certificates, photos, and reminders of special moments find their way there. They become daily reminders of achievements worth celebrating and memories worth revisiting. For your family it might be a shelf lined with sporting trophies, a pinboard covered in certificates, or a collection of photos capturing proud moments and significant milestones.

I suspect that, in one way or another, we all have a desire to be recognised for our efforts. We value the opportunity to celebrate what has been achieved through persistence, commitment, and hard work. Just like a medal at the end of a sporting season rewards not just the efforts put into the final match, but all the preparation and training that enables you to get that opportunity.

Over recent weeks, I have had the privilege of attending Year 7, 8 and 9 assemblies, as well as at our Secondary Assembly, where students were recognised for their achievements in the Australian Mathematics Competition and the Australian Mathematical Olympiad.

As I present these awards, I often tell students, "I've laminated it, so it doesn’t get crumpled in your bag – why not put it on the fridge!"

Behind every certificate is a student who has chosen to stretch themselves beyond the everyday demands of the classroom and tackle challenging mathematical problem-solving. These achievements deserve to be celebrated, shared and displayed proudly in a prominent place at home.

In the Mathematics faculty, we are continually exploring ways to extend students beyond their regular learning experiences. At its heart, mathematics is not about memorising facts, but about exploring ideas, recognising patterns, and developing elegant solutions through logical thinking. As teachers, we place an emphasis on providing classroom differentiation, extension activities and enrichment opportunities woven throughout our courses. These experiences are designed to encourage deeper thinking, curiosity and resilience when faced with complex problems.

Beyond the classroom, students have access to a wide range of opportunities to challenge themselves further. Prestigious competitions such as the Australian Mathematical Olympiad provide avenues for advanced mathematical problem-solving, while activities like the Mathematical Association of Victoria's Statewide Maths Games Days allow students to collaborate, compete, and engage with mathematics in new ways.

Other impact-learning experiences, including the Da Vinci Decathlon and the ASX Sharemarket Game, provide opportunities for students to apply mathematical thinking in broader contexts, integrating skills and ideas from beyond the Maths curriculum.

What is most encouraging is seeing students willingly embrace these challenges.  As Carl Gauss, a renowned mathematician once said: “Surely it is not knowledge, but learning; not owning but earning; not being there but getting there; that gives us the greatest pleasure." Success is certainly worth celebrating, but so too is the willingness to have a go, take risks and stretch beyond what feels comfortable.

At Donvale, we are committed to providing opportunities for students to discover and develop their strengths. Whether through classroom enrichment, extension programs, competitions, excursions, or impact-learning experiences, students are encouraged to engage deeply with their learning and pursue excellence.

I have been reading about the life of Eric Liddell, the champion athlete and missionary whose story was told in the movie Chariots of Fire. In the movie, Eric says: “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”  

In a similar way, I am encouraged when I see our students doing their utmost to achieve their best with their God given talents at school: in particular with Mathematics, and I hope that they gain satisfaction and derive joy in their efforts and also feel His pleasure.

I hope your children are sharing some of these experiences with you on the drive home or around the dinner table. And if one of those certificates or awards happens to find its way onto the fridge, may it serve as a reminder of the training not just the achievement.