From our Principal 

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

I don’t know about you and your families but in our household the Olympic Games has been dominating our TV screen. Everyone loves a winner and there has been plenty to cheer about if you’re Aussie and a special shout out to our Aussie women who are taking all before them resulting in much medal success across a variety of sports. This week we have been able to celebrate our own success of an academic kind. The annual Pursuit of Excellence Awards were staged with some outstanding academic achievements. Below is the list of recipients whose names will now join many others from previous years on our “Pursuit of Excellence” Honour board. I congratulate each of our awardees.

Also celebrated in this same awards ceremony were the Monash Scholars Program Award recipients. The Monash Scholars program is designed for high-achieving secondary school students, providing them with extraordinary opportunities to enhance their learning, explore career aspirations, define personal goals, and build connections with other accomplished students. I congratulate the following Awardees of the 2024-2026 Monash Scholars Program.

This awards ceremony, in front of the entire school, was an opportunity to engage with all students on what I consider to be the three core ingredients in pursuit of excellence. Below are some excerpts from my speech to our community:

Principal’s Message to the School Community

A special welcome is reserved to our Pursuit of Excellence award recipients and to their family and friends present today who have walked alongside them on their journey so far.

Today, I want to talk to you about something fundamental to our success not only in school but in every aspect of our lives, predictably the theme is the pursuit of excellence. Achieving excellence is a journey that requires dedication, passion, and resilience. It doesn’t  happen!

Let’s look at the outcomes of our current Olympic campaign. They are likely to be our most successful and aren’t the women in particular killing it? It is remarkable that our athletes seem to make it all look so easy. Of course, we know it is not. Let’s take our flag bearer, Jessica Fox. A four-time Olympic competitor, 3 x Gold Medallist, 1-time silver medallist and 2 times Bronze medallist. At world championship level she has won 22 medals include 10 world titles. And it has not been all about sport for Jess. In her HSC she achieved an ATAR score of 99.1 and was crowned Dux of her school, whilst she was competing on the international stage. These sorts of results don’t just happen!

An insight into her training regime suggests what it takes to excel:

Training is twice a day, sometimes three times on the white water honing her technical skills. 

Between white water sessions, she’s in the gym for strength training, or she is at physio sessions, and at other times she is stretching or bunkering down for a video review. 

So, if we were to use Jess Fox as an exemplar, it is not about being perfect but about constantly striving to be the best version of ourselves. This pursuit, in my humble view, comes down to three core ingredients: Work Ethic, Talent, and a sense of pride in self.

So first, let's talk about Work Ethic. Work ethic is the cornerstone of any achievement. I define it as the relentless drive to put in the effort, day in and day out. A strong work ethic means showing up, even when it's tough, pushing through challenges, and giving your best effort in everything you do. It’s about consistency, perseverance, and discipline. Work ethic translates to an environment where success is not an accident; it is the result of hard work, commitment, preparation, and learning from failure.

The second factor is Talent. Everyone has unique talents and abilities that set them apart – everyone! Whilst talent alone won't guarantee success, it is a critical component that, when nurtured, can lead you to remarkable achievements. For your talents to be fully realised you are required to recognize your strengths and passions. Whether it’s in academics, sports, arts, or any other field, embracing and developing your talents, embracing your strengths and being guided by your passions will open doors to opportunities and help you excel.

Our third essential ingredient is a Sense of Pride in Self. This means believing in your own worth and capabilities. It’s about having confidence in yourself and taking ownership of your actions and choices. When you have a sense of pride in yourself, you set high standards and hold yourself accountable. This self-respect drives you to push boundaries and strive for excellence because you know you deserve nothing less.

Remember the pursuit of excellence is a lifelong journey that requires a strong work ethic, the cultivation of your talents, and a deep sense of pride in yourself. Each of you, each of us has the potential to achieve greatness whether you are in Year 12, Year 7 or anywhere in between. 

I challenge you to embrace these three core ingredients, and you might well find that excellence is not a distant goal but a daily practice. And so my question is three fold to you all:

•              Are you ready to put in the hard work?

•              Are you ready to showcase your talents?

•              Do you have a sense of pride in your self to reach for the stars?

Let’s commit to this journey together and support one another in our pursuit of excellence. Thank you, and let’s make today a step towards our best selves!

Enjoy the week ahead

Mr Chris Black

Principal