Wise words with...

Success and Failure

I am writing this before Thursday 5 April, when we will be engaging in a bit of friendly rivalry on the football fields as staff take on senior students in a game of touch. I am expecting that this will not end in victory for the staff team, but maybe I am projecting my abilities onto my colleagues and underestimating our team. However, it is with no small amount of trepidation that I will be donning my boots. You see, I have not engaged in any cardiovascular exercise since the soccer season ended last year and I really am expecting that I will be found wanting by my teammates. To be honest, I have felt tempted to hang up my boots.

However, I firmly believe that it is healthy and beneficial to continually push ourselves beyond what we think ourselves capable of, because it is when we push ourselves that we grow in both ability and character. Of course, going beyond our comfort levels needs to be done in a safe manner, and so I’ve instructed the office staff to ensure the defibrillator is on hand ready to go. But it will be character forming for me as I am humbled by the next generation of sportswomen and sportsmen. And I hope it will be relationship building for us all as we display good sportsmanship on the field. I suspect I will need to be gracious in defeat while others will need to be humble in victory.

Can I encourage our parents and carers to model to our students the concept of trying new things, attempting things that we may fail at. This is a growth mindset. We know that students often learn from examples displayed in those they look up to and parents and carers are most important in this. I am not suggesting we all get on the sporting field, it could be learning to play chess, or reading a novel, or volunteering for an organization, but demonstrating a willingness to push ourselves out of our comfort zone is what our children need to see us doing. And really failure is all about perspective. If my aim is to beat the students at touch, then yes, I will probably fail. If my aim is to get some exercise, have an enjoyable time, and build rapport with senior students, then I suspect that regardless of the outcome of the score, then the event should be successful.

Have a great holiday break, remember Jesus over easter, remember those who have served in the defence of our Nation on Anzac Day, and we look forward to seeing you all again on Wednesday 26 April for the start of Term 2.