Page 2 - 2020 Altiora Vol 72

FROM THE HEADMASTER
2 |
2 | FR OM THE HEADMASTER
As citizens of the human race, 2020 will forever
be the year we were reminded of a range of very
important truths. We were reminded of the power
of natural phenomena to transform lives, whether
by fire, flood or pandemic. We were reminded of
our vulnerability to the forces that have shaped our
planet and to malignant microscopic agents that
curtailed the success of our species for countless
millennia. These vulnerabilities led to global
fears which drove behaviours that have forever
scarred our memories; behaviours that divided
communities, thrust people into competition with
one other and into arguments about whose lives
matter and whom we want to lead us. On a global
scale, 2020 was ugly. Sometimes locally it was
ugly. However, here at Blue Mountains Grammar
School, mostly it was beautiful.
For members of the Grammar staff team, 2020 will
forever be remembered as the year we strove for
excellence, harder than ever, against true adversity.
I am so proud of my team for their commitment,
resilience and adaptability and for the fruits of
their labour. We had already been aspirational in
our improvement planning for the year, however,
in addition we kept the School open, we saw our
students’ faces each and every day (even if only
digitally) and our students kept learning. As a
result, students of all ages made enormous strides
in their learning and our Year 12 students achieved
more than many hoped and as much as many
dreamed in their HSC.
For members of the Grammar community, 2020
will forever be remembered as the year we learned.
Students learned what they were supposed to
learn (and a few additional life lessons along the
way); parents learned how to teach; teachers
learned the finer arts of remote and
online teaching; leaders learned how to do so by
digital means; and, of course, we all learned how to
Zoom and that we are more capable than we had
imagined.
Mark McCrindle, the renowned Australian
social demographer, points out that “the age at
which we’re exposed to a transformative event
determines how embedded it will be in our psyche.”
He suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic will
be a defining event for our current generation of
students. So, what will be the impact? Will it be
as most predict; expectations of flexible working
conditions, the integration of technology into their
lives and the online delivery of education? I imagine
there will be much of this, however, I believe that
there will be a far more profound and fundamental
impact because whilst our conscious minds were
celebrating these conveniences and benefits, our
hearts were longing for face to face connection.
What does McCrindle suggest will be the impact
on Generation Alpha? Their commitment to family
will be stronger because families were thrust
closer together than previous generations; we
saw each other more and we relied on each other
more. Communities of friends will be tighter than
ever because we missed each other and had to
be creative in how we caught up when we were
trapped in our beautiful country, confined to our
gorgeous villages and suburbs, and locked in the
safety of our generously appointed homes … wow
did we have it tough! Finally, McCrindle suggests
that this generation will be more resilient than their
predecessors … or will they?
Young people learn how to be from the
circumstances of life; from every force that acts
upon them. Their character is formed in these
moments, being shaped and moulded like clay
on a potter’s wheel. Of course, they have natural
propensities and innate dispositions! We are all
made of clay and not all clay is the same. Of course,
they get to choose who they become! However,
not completely and not without reference to
life’s experiences. So, I believe this generation
will be more resilient because the majority of
children (unfortunately not all) watched their
extraordinarily capable, resourceful and flexible
parents make the best of a bad situation. They
learned from the experts and will hereafter model
themselves on their example.
It does not take a crisis for us to set a profound
example for our young people; it is an everyday
occurrence, whether we are intentional about it or
not. The focus of this generation of Blue Mountains
Grammar teachers and parents is in being very
intentional in the contribution we make to the
formulation of our young people’s character.