A Shared History

By Mr Colin Smith (VCE History / English Teacher)

Learning about and having the opportunity to teach History would be one of my most positive experiences in a 40 year long teaching career.  The students who choose to study History in the senior years are probably a smaller cohort than some other learning areas on offer but it’s exciting to see the enthusiasm in those that do take an interest in the past.  Part of the enthusiasm comes from the fact that a study of the past somehow keeps landing us back in the present and then on into the future.  History has that fascination.  We learn about past events, characters, ideas and movements that continue to impact on where we are today, how we arrived at this point, and where we will end up in the future.

The study of history also connects us to important aspects of our identity.  This is true for us as a nation, a school community, as Christians, as followers of sporting teams, as families, and as individuals.  Having a sense of common ancestry or shared history can be a strengthening thing.  Knowing the history of our school, for example, as captured in the recent publication, ’Heights of Hope’, reminds us that our school today stands on the shoulders of giants of the past.  We are only who we are now because of the quality of our forebears.  This obviously presents us with the challenge of what legacy we are providing for those who follow us.  In 10 or 20 years, how will our contribution be measured?

Another opportunity to be part of a shared history is to participate in the memorial reflective Armstace Peace garden being designed and made ready for opening later this year outside the Art rooms’ facility.  Look out for the invitation further in this Newsletter to add your own families’ perspective in honouring family members who served Australia in combat zones and who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Of course, our shared history as a Christian community along with many others in this state, this nation and in the world is founded on the sacrifice of one individual often described as the turning point of history – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.