Page 17 - 2019 - Altiora Vol 71 Sem 2

NEW APPOINTMENT | 17

MR OWEN LAFFIN APPOINTED AS DEPUTY HEADMASTER

academic and co-curricular programs when
finally I was told, “You’ll get it when you
meet the students”, and they were right.
I’m looking forward to coming to know the
many wonderful students here at the School
over coming years, and to walking alongside
their parents in partnership as we grow
outstanding young people.
Education is in my blood. I am a third
generation teacher, brother to a teacher, and
married to a teacher and, barring one brief
and strange political interlude, education is
and has been the guiding passion of my life.
I have worked in five different schools over
many years; two Catholic, two Anglican and
one independent Christian school.
While education has been the abiding passion
of my life, I must admit that I never actually
intended to be a teacher. Growing up in a
Mr. Owen Laffin, B.A., B.Teach.,M.Ed.,JP has been teaching family, I was determined never to
appointed Deputy Head - Head of Senior become one myself. So, initially I studied to
School, and will commence in this role in become a lawyer. While I have since had the
Term 1, 2020. We take this opportunity of privilege of calling many deeply ethical and
introducing Mr. Laffin to our community, and community-spirited lawyers my friends, as a
look forward to welcoming Mr. Laffin and young man I made the difficult decision that a
his wife, Thea, to Blue Mountains Grammar life in the legal system was simply not for me!
School in the new year: Thus I left law behind and served on staff at
my church as a youth worker, spending time
As I prepare to take up my appointment, I am in my local schools and running a variety of
deeply grateful for the warm welcome from youth programs. For a time I thought seriously
Blue Mountains Grammar School staff, and about a career in full time Christian ministry.
I consider it a privilege to be an educator in A year of full-time church work, however,
such an exceptional community. convinced me that that wasn’t for me either.

I have had the pleasure of knowing many It was about that time that I realised that what
teachers and past teachers, alumni and alumni I loved most was talking and thinking about
parents of the School over the years, and have history and the law, but more importantly,
always been impressed by the love so many making a real and positive impact in the lives
continue to hold for the School, years after of young people. At this point it occurred to
they have finished here. me that, despite my reluctance, there was

Since my appointment, I have been working an honourable career in that! So, I became a
hard to understand what it is that makes the teacher and have never looked back.
School such an exceptional place, consistently There is wisdom in the ancient Greek
generating capable and courageous people aphorism “know thyself”, and if I have learned
thriving in a range of fields. I have been anything about myself it is this: I believe
investigating the many programs offered that I live my most authentic life when I am
here at the School in Sports, Creative and connected with my purpose. Like everyone
Performing Arts, Wilderness Education, who spends their lives working in education,
and of course the School’s diverse academic I want to spend my life having a profound
offerings. All of these programs are impact in the lives of children and young
remarkably well-run by passionate and people by shaping an education in which
talented educators, but I don’t believe it is this thinking is visible, learning is visible, and in
that makes the School exceptional. which the growth of character is central.
For me, it is the students themselves that I am looking forward to growing outstanding
make the School special. This crystalised for young people with hope in their hearts,
me in a conversation with one of this School’s purpose in their minds, and courage in their
teachers. lives at BMGS.
I had asked a great many questions about Mr. Owen Laffin