Second Wind

In the week of our whole School Cross Country Carnival, I am reminded of the occasions when I progressively helped each of my five children learn an important life-lesson. When they were in Year 3 and asked me to help them prepare for their first school Cross Country Carnival, we explored the ins and outs of perseverance as it applied to middle and long distance running. We ran together until they experienced the urge to stop. We persisted in running until their little chests hurt. Having already explained the experience that would follow, and already received a commitment from them to embrace it as a learning experience, we ran through their pain and out the other side into their second wind. There is an extent to which they were trying to please their father, however they were also testing their own limits and discovering that they were larger than they had previously known. I remember the ‘joy of overcoming’ that was written all over their faces, especially as it contrasted with the anguish, and sometimes tears, that had preceded it.

The Cross Country Carnival is such a wonderful metaphor for the many other challenges we face in life and through which we need to persevere; exhausting, and sometimes painful, challenges. Throughout the fires, floods and pandemic of recent years many parents have faced business, professional, community and domestic challenges. Last year, our students faced the challenge of learning during lockdown and currently face their own unique combinations of learning and life challenges. Our Year 12 cohort is part way through the challenge of their final year of School, that culminates in the Trials and the HSC examinations themselves. Teachers have faced an unprecedented period of change to their practice that came with a tremendous professional learning burden. We have all faced challenges in recent times. Whilst some of us have faltered, the majority of us have, with (or without) the support of those around us, persevered and hopefully have, or soon will, come into our second wind.

With Easter approaching, I am reminded of the following Biblical exhortation:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

This parcel of ancient wisdom reminds us that if we are to run our race in full stride, we should jettison things from our lives that hinder us, stop behaviours that are unhelpful or harmful (to ourselves or others) and fix our eyes on an exemplary role model. The current Perspectives survey invites parents and students to provide the School with feedback do that we might make adjustments to our practice in the coming months and continue our century-long race in full stride. Please partner with us by completing the survey (link provided to one parent per household via email).

These words were intended for individuals and are, thousands of years later, still worthy of our consideration. In doing so we will be reminded of how Jesus, a role model to many, in the face of enormous opposition, persevered through suffering in order to please His Father. Whether in relation to Cross Country running or the many other challenges we face in our lives, perseverance is an invaluable character trait. Jesus’ perseverance however, was for the sake of others and that is why this Easter story is a great inspiration to me and, I hope, many of you.

If you would like to hear Mr Webb’s (and our students’) perspective on Easter, please consider attending our Whole of School Easter Service next Friday (see poster here).

Per Ardua Ad Altiora

Mr Ian Maynard

Headmaster

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