Happy Mother's Day
Is it just me I wonder, or is the pace of this term even more breathtaking than usual? There just seems to have been so much to celebrate in recent times. The Mothers鈥 Day Morning Tea was simply spectacular 鈥 superb entertainment, fabulous fashion and such a wonderful opportunity to express our gratitude for mothers everywhere.
I shared during my address a very cheesy sonnet I wrote for my mum when she turned 90, and suggested that I think this is how most children feel about their mothers. They are simply the glue that holds society together.
There must be more than words for me to give
To offer thanks for all that you have done
For teaching me to love, to hope, to live
For freeing me to choose this course I run.
Your selfless love inspired me as I grew
Your open spirit helped to forge my own;
The way I love my children comes from you
And still your love sustains me now I鈥檓 grown.
You fill the world with light, face fear with love
You soothe the wounded, give the weary rest
Of all the gifts poured on me from above
This simple truth defines how I am blessed.
Whenever I was frail or in despair
Whenever I was drowning, you were there.
So thank you mums for everything you do to help our community to flourish and thrive.
The Mothers鈥 Day Morning Tea was closely followed with the announcement that the next Principal of 91热爆网 will be Mr Matthew Corbett. Matt鈥檚 video to staff and families was so warmly received and we are all immensely grateful to the selection committee and the members of School Council for their work in finding the right person to lead our beautiful school into the future. Matt will be visiting us in the next few weeks and the staff and students are very much looking forward to spending some time with him and getting to know him. Everything I have heard about Matt suggests that he truly is the ideal choice; he clearly has a passion for all things education and understands that developing character must remain at the centre of our educational aspirations. As my predecessor Len Nairn was fond of saying 鈥榯he heart of education is the education of the heart.鈥
I am eagerly awaiting 16 May and our biennial Concerto Competition. For me, this is certainly one of the highlights of our musical offerings as a school. Our talented soloists compete in heats for the right to perform their chosen concerto with the backing of the full orchestra. Three Middle School and three Senior School finalists are chosen and the subsequent feast of virtuosity on display is both uplifting and extraordinary. Please organise your tickets for this fabulous concert if you haven鈥檛 already done so.
You might have seen on the our beloved Mr Ross Kingsley being interviewed by Channel 9. Ross has decided to move to Melbourne to be closer to his partner at the end of this year and he leaves behind him a legacy that will never be equalled. Under his passionate guidance, our Junior School Cross Country team have won the APS competition since it first started 28 years ago. It truly is a remarkable feat. I was so proud too of our Middle/Senior team who, despite winning very few individual races, still managed to come a close second to a magnificent Emmanuel College. All afternoon they ran as a team, and it was inspirational to watch. Well done to all involved.
Finally, I wanted to mention a particularly delightful Tuesday this week. First up we had our School Captains working with the Middle School leaders and the level of engagement was a joy to see. I know everyone got so much out of it. Meanwhile we were running a school tour and the comments we receive following such events are both humbling and gratefully received. We then devoted the afternoon to the Year 12s, splitting the girls and the boys to explore issues around masculinity and femininity. Again, the students were so engaged and grateful. Far from perfect as we might be, I love this school with all my heart.
Happy Mothers鈥 Day!
Patrick Wallas
Headmaster