Our musical ensembles have been dedicated to rehearsals since February, some have travelled to Bathurst for band workshops, some have competed in eisteddfods, performed publicly and the vast majority attended Music Camp. While the outcome in performance at this week’s showcase concerts was triumphant, it is equally important to consider that the journey has been full of challenge, commitment, friendship and fun. Our Sports Aerobics teams made their annual commitment to one another in Term 4 2022, a commitment to work hard physically and artistically, with grit and resilience in a journey of constant improvement, with the goal of progressing to a nationally recognised standard, via regional, state and national championship events. This program has yet again achieved incredible success this year, with two silver medals and four fourth places. Yet it is the commitment to excellence, teamwork and a unified ambition for constant improvement that has made the journey as valuable as the impressive final results.
We should also consider the term in sport; Netball, 7s Rugby and Hockey. While winning and losing are important and powerful experiences related to the destination, we hope that the training, and the simple love of playing, are constant and powerful reminders of the importance of the journey. These themes have been powerfully reflected in the journey of our Matildas at the Football World Cup. So many Australians, young and old, have been excited and empowered by the opportunity to share and care about the destination (the chance to win the whole thing), but perhaps more importantly, loved being part of the journey. In terms of sports and in almost everything we do in cocurricular there is a quote that rings true, and it is one that I have always loved: The key is not the will to win… everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.
Finally, let’s consider Dance Spec’ 2023. This incredible cocurricular showcase features 25 dance ensembles and 280 students, performing Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Ballet, Tap and Musical Theatre routines. The destination is the Concourse Theatre on Saturday 2 September. The journey is everything that has taken place before. I encourage you all to grab your tickets, take a seat and take a brief moment on the night to ponder …. the importance of both the journey and the destination.
Lastly, although not cocurricular, we congratulate our Year 12 students on finishing their HSC Trials. We are proud of their commitment and resilience. Congratulations too to those students who presented their body of work at the opening night of the HSC Major Works Showcase on Tuesday.
Owen Vale
Director Cocurricular
