Page 2 - 2019 - Altiora Vol 71 Sem 2

2 | FROM THE HEADMASTER
The first year of Blue Mountains Grammar School’s
second Century was most eventful. It afforded me
the opportunity to participate in many of the fine
events and high quality programs that constitute
the life of our wonderful school. During these
occasions, I discovered many of the close and
mutually respectful relationships that are the
cornerstone of our School community and the
means by which we uphold the academic rigour
that sustains high standards in all areas. I saw
much evidence of the academic excellence that
is the hallmark of a Blue Mountains Grammar
School education. I enjoyed sharing in the fruit of
the extensive sport and co-curricular offering that
provides opportunities for our students to explore
their passions and develop a range of skills and
interests. Together these components enable our
students to grow in the character and capability
that will enable them to thrive in our complex 21st
Century world.
Both at and between these many outstanding
events I had the opportunity to hear the
perspectives of many members of our community.
In doing so, I discovered a community that
is aspirational for its young people; for their
wellbeing, their growing capabilities, their
academic outcomes and their achievements more
broadly. I came to know an expert and committed
staff team; forward thinking, innovative and highly
engaged professionals who every day make a
profound difference in our students’ lives.
Comprehending these many perspectives and,
most importantly, the commonalities between
them provided the School executive with the
insight to distil a fresh vision for our young people
and our School. This vision is that our young people
leave us with “hope in their hearts, purpose in their
minds, courage in their lives”.
In order to achieve this we seek to nurture “the
character, knowledge and capabilities our students
need to excel in learning and to live ‘Ad Altiora’ – to
the highest”.
To serve this purpose we have developed our Ad
Altiora Framework for Learning and Life. Centred
on the ship in the School’s crest, it describes
the type of young people we seek to nurture;
formidable people inclined and equipped to live
life to the highest, striving optimistically for a
better future. The clarity this resource provides
will enable the School to be even more intentional
in working with parents and students to nurture
in each young person a strong identity, high ideals
and tenacious grit. It identifies the backbone of
integrity, purpose and adaptability that comprise
a strong identity, the high ideals of love, hope
and faith that make our lives worthwhile and the
traits of courage, reflection and perseverance that
give people the tenacious grit that makes them
unstoppable. Our framework will also assist us as
we seek to grow a broad suite of capabilities that
will ensure students become powerful learners
and equip them for the challenges of life. Broadly,
we seek to train our students to engage strongly in
their world, think powerfully, relate effectively to
others and harness their creativity.
The implementation of our Ad Altiora Framework
for Learning and Life is just one of the goals of
the School improvement initiative launched in
2019, titled Vision 2020 and Beyond, in which we
elaborate five community priorities.
The first of these is Relationships because we
are committed to people flourishing in a network
of rich, positive, open and inclusive connections
with their family and friends, within the School
and with our community. Of course, we want
our students to embrace people from diverse
backgrounds, worldviews and lifestyles. Our focus
on Authenticity derives from our commitment to
people flourishing. We believe our students will
do so when they experience personal wellbeing,
are motivated by purpose, live with integrity and
have authentic connections to their community
and their locality. We are also committed to the
pursuit of excellence and embrace a culture of
Innovation in all areas of School operation. For this
reason, we will strengthen the scope and depth of
our research, extend our networks and introduce
practices that maximise progress towards our
priorities. We will also focus on Support because
we are committed to empowering individuals on
the foundations of clarity, consistency, efficiency
and accountability.
Therefore, we seek and listen to feedback and
implement well-considered and responsive
systems that support our focus on learning.