Teaching and Learning News

Every year, when school begins back, I am always fascinated by the range of emotions reflected in the faces of those returning.  I see pure delight, I see worry, I see disappointment, and that is just in the parents!  Whatever your perspective, I hope that you had an enjoyable and relaxing break and a happy and Holy Christmas and feel very welcome in returning.

At our opening assembly last week I articulated a very clear message to the boys.  That message was that the time to begin work towards their personal best is now!  I began by telling them that they were surrounded by very fortunate young men. Below is an excerpt of the message.

You are fortunate. Fortunate, because you know God. Fortunate because you are surrounded by people who care about you.  Fortunate, because, at this moment, you are living in one of the best places in the world. Fortunate, because you are lucky enough to be receiving a first-rate education.

With good fortune comes great responsibility.  You have a responsibility to not take these things for granted.  You have a responsibility to not squander the opportunities you have been given.  For you, your job, right now, is school and you have a responsibility to achieve, or exceed, your potential.

For those of you sitting there thinking that the first few weeks don’t matter, I urge you to think of the College prayer, ‘not to be content with mediocrity’; there is not one adult in this room who thinks of any one of you as mediocre, you are all incredibly special with a multitude of gifts.  Don’t settle for mediocre!  The time to start focussing is now, not tomorrow, not next week, not when you are given assessment.  The time to start behaving is now. The time to start working is now. The time to start homework is now!

We know you are not mediocre and we won’t accept mediocre from you.  Our expectation is you arrive on time for class, every time! I have seen the pace at which you can make the tuckshop line, we want the same sense of urgency in getting to class.  Our expectation is that you follow instructions, you are active participants in the classroom, that you engage, that you complete your homework, every night, that you take ownership over your own learning and your own achievement.

The time to start is now! And nothing less than your best is acceptable.  The time to start is now!