Full Commitment
Today marks the end of the formal WACE Examinations. As always, we pray that our senior students have done well and importantly, we trust that they gain rewards commensurate with their effort. Our Year 11 students are currently completing the last of their Semester 2 Examinations and, after a holiday break, will turn their sights to the busyness that will accompany their final year of studies at Trinity College. Similarly, in the coming weeks our Year 8, 9 and 10 boys will commence examinations that seek to validate class work and other assessments completed throughout the year. These exams also provide invaluable experience and practice in preparing for and sitting formal examination conditions that will be part of their journey through school.
With exams and results come the inevitable questions about setting goals, possible career pathways and a deeper assessment of the commitment required to find success in academic studies. All boys are encouraged to think about how committed they are to their studies and to being the best they can be. All boys are encouraged to set realistic, but aspirational life goals (both short and long term) and to commit wholeheartedly to such goals. Learning from such commitment and being resilient to the inevitable bumps in the road that will come in pursuing worthwhile goals, is an important life lesson and a vital part in the formation of our young men.
There is an important difference between being interested in a goal and being committed to a goal. Often, we have goals that we are interested in and will happily do what is convenient and easy if that action happens to point us in the general direction of our aim. But if we are only interested in our life goals, rather than being fully committed, we will often opt out when the going gets tough or when desired results are not immediate. We can tend to believe our own excuses and stories about why we cannot put ourselves through the necessary hard work and hardship to make some gains. If we are not truly committed, we can become victims of the ‘reality’ we create in order to excuse ourselves from fully committing to the prize. All too often we can lose our drive and with that, meaningful goals and dreams can disappear.
People who are fully committed to achieving their dreams tend to find the success they are seeking. Their success can be measured in the end prize and equally, in the lessons learned through the journey of hard work and commitment. They never give up personal accountability for their own actions and the outcomes of those actions. While I am certainly not advocating for a ‘win at all cost’ approach (the Australian Cricket team from a few years ago can attest to the inherent dangers in such a narrow approach), an earnest and determined attitude, guided by a true moral compass, is an approach to be pursued and celebrated.
In recent weeks, at a variety of significant College events, I have had the pleasure of speaking with some Trinity College students who certainly displayed total commitment and help illustrate a Spirit of Excellence. One of our recently graduating Year 12 student has just finalised his extensive application for a scholarship to study Chemical Engineering at an interstate university. He outlined his consistent approach to study over the past few years and his drive and dedication was very obvious. One former student, returning to assist at the Rowing Shed, described his current training regime and shared his aspirations to achieve Olympic selection. At the recent graduation celebrations, another Year 12 student shared his often, difficult journey with mental health. He explained that at various times he had considered leaving school or dropping out of his ATAR pathway because his state of readiness was not right and subsequently his attitude to committing to his studies was poor. Inspired and encouraged by some of his Teachers, and his love of the College music program, he had re-committed to regular study routines and his renewed application had brought about increased success and a great intrinsic satisfaction.
In very different contexts, all three young men shared the value and reward that comes at the end of the well-worn path of hard work and commitment. Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Of course, this notion is certainly not new. Through our parents or grandparents, I am sure most have heard phrases such as ‘If you are going to do a job, do it right’; ‘A job isn’t worth doing unless it is done well’ and ‘Near enough is not good enough if it can be done better’. Somewhat old-fashioned values that are still very relevant today.
In forming good young men, it is important that we instil in them a deep understanding of the intrinsic importance of fully committing to something they value.
Live Jesus in our hearts
Mr Darren O’Neill
Principal
