From the Management Team

Why do we do what we do?

Ever asked someone why they do what they do?  Has anyone ever asked you why you do what you do? It is an interesting question and one that often requires some thought as it gets to the very heart of our intrinsic motivation, who we are and what makes us tick.

I have been reading a book called Chapter One, by Daniel Flynn.  It is an autobiography of one of a team of three who set up Thank You.  Thank You, for those who are not aware is a social equity company set up originally as Thank You Water by two teenagers in their first year of university. Their concept was to set up a company that sold bottled water and also to ensure that 100% of the profits went to fund water improvement projects in developing countries around the world. Their sole purpose for existence was to ensure everyone in the world has access to safe drinking water. Not surprisingly the zero 'profit' idea made it tricky to find investors and even places to stock their water.  The company now is more than water, but the premise is the same. Even when buying the book, things were different.  Instead of having a barcode with a price, when I went to the register they asked me how much I wanted to pay! It was name your own price! Quite a risk.

One section of this book looks at `why'. Why, after so much hardship, struggle and so many knock backs did they keep going? Where did their real motivation lie? If it was in profits or glory or awards they could not have kept going. It was a keen sense that this was the work that God had planned for them and a deep seated belief that what they were trying to achieve was worth it. The struggles they faced were nothing compared to those all around the world walking days for water and others dying of preventable waterborne diseases.

At this time of the year schools are very busy.  It is often a time of joy but also of struggle to maintain focus when the end is so near yet so far! The last two weeks for me have shown why it is that we as staff at Endeavour do what we do. The amazing student talent on display at Art's Showcase,  the commitment to study shown by our Year 12 students as they sat their final exams, culminating in the Valedictory Service on Thursday night, the experiences of our students at both the Year 9 and Year 11 camps, the preparations made by students for the Mock Interviews; students volunteering to be tour guides for Open Evening, Villages visiting Ingle Farm Hub, Year 7 sporting carnivals, and students putting their engineering brains to the test with their CO2 dragsters.

These are incredible showcases of the breadth of talent of our students not only to achieve academically but to be the very best people they can be. They are the very tangible reasons we do what we do – to celebrate with students their progress and success. I hope that at home you too celebrate the achievements and  involvement  in College life. Our students are blessed with a variety of opportunities for them to develop their talents in a range of academic and non-academic areas.

Why do I do what I do? It is to be able to celebrate with students their successes as they strive for excellence, to fulfil their God given potential, to improve and then produce the very best of work.  It is this growth, this realisation of talent that answers why for me. Why do you do what you do?

Sandra Barry

Director of Learning

When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God.   1 Corinthians 10: 31