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Every year we state that there are two major components to our Family Fun Fair...
1 - An important fundraising event.
2 - A major event to bring our community together for a day of incredible fun.
I was sent an interesting story about a small football club in Italy this week. For those who don't know anything about them, fair enough neither did I, which made the story even more interesting. Como 1907 is a small club in northern Italy, better known for its scenery than its football.
I recently read an interesting article by Mr Tim Gordon on what makes a good school. Here was the take home message of how to measure whether or not a school is ‘good’:
“the school's success in achieving its agreed-upon goals – i.e. the extent to which the school achieves what its own particular community expects it to achieve in respect of the young people en-trusted to its care.”
As we approach the end of the year, the school management is in the process of finalising the budget for 2025, which will determine the school fees for the upcoming academic year. This budgeting process has underscored the crucial role that the collection of school fees plays in maintaining the high standards of education and the breadth of opportunities available at Graeme College.
At our recent Public Boys' Headmasters Conference this past week, one of the guest speakers, Oscar Chalupsky—a legendary figure in the world of paddling who has faced numerous challenges throughout his career, both on and off the water—gave an inspirational talk on overcoming adversity. Despite setbacks and obstacles like cancer, Oscar has shown us the power of resilience and determination. His journey teaches us that challenges are not roadblocks but stepping stones to growth and success.
On Wednesday evening, we were so privileged to enjoy the performance of our internal eisteddfod at the music centre. Sometimes it's hard to accurately explain the ‘feel good’ sensation after these types of events. I liken it to taking a landscape photo of stunning scenery. The photo is often great, but it never quite shows the magnitude of standing in front of that view accurately enough - you lack depth, colour and sensation. Likewise, I think you have to be sitting in the auditorium, to fully appreciate the incredible talent, comradery and sense of occasion during events like the eisteddfod.
On Saturday my wife and I attended a concert hosted by the Rhodes University Chamber Choir. What a beautiful evening it was and you missed out if you weren’t there. There was a strong Old Graemian contingent in the Rhodes Choir which gave me a lot of joy - they brought the place to life! The Victoria Primary Chamber Choir was brilliant. There is nothing better for a teacher than to see young people operating with genuine confidence and at a world-class level. You just get a sense that you are seeing successes waiting to happen, when their adult selves come to fruition.
Tomorrow we celebrate the incredible strength, resilience, and grace of women around the world. Each one of you holds a unique and powerful spirit within you, and just like a cup, what you hold inside is what shapes your response to life's challenges.
Our College is 151 years old… and possibly in the best place it has ever been with regards to culture, parent support and overall achievement of who we want to be as a school. A phrase we use so often is being proud of being the community school in our town. That's probably the most important aspect of who we are as a school.
I have always enjoyed the following quote, attributed to Confucius:
“If your plan is for one year then plant rice. If your plan is for ten years then plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years then educate children. ”