Page 2 - 2021 - Altiora Vol 73 Sem 1 and 2

FROM THE HEADMASTER
2 |
2 | FR OM THE HEADMASTER
Weddings, funerals, Easter and Christmas services,
ANZAC Day ceremonies and the Consecration
and Inauguration of Anglican Archbishop, Kanishka
Raffel, that I had the privilege of attending in
late Term 2; each of these formal public events,
especially those with longstanding traditions, are
imbued with symbolism (whether by design or not)
about people, about society and about life more
generally. One such BMGS tradition, of which I am
now custodian, is the Year 11 Ball. Over its forty
year history, the Ball has changed its name several
times but has always remained true to its founders’
vision of building the character, confidence and
capability of our students as they approach
adulthood.
At my first BMGS Ball in 2019, it was obvious to me
that the Ball ought not continue in its then current
form, because the statements the Ball makes must
remain consistent with the School’s values whilst
being relevant to this generation. Fortunately, I
believe that traditions should be redeemed and
transformed rather than abandoned, because in
life, we have all too few opportunities to celebrate
the things we value. The School is well used to
celebrating excellence; whether academic, sporting
or in co-curricular pursuits. In fact, it is now an
annual tradition to celebrate our F1 in Schools
achievements. For the second time in three years,
as team Perpetrol (Charlie Burgess, William Klein,
Jayden Gibson and Casper Larkin) prepares for the
World Titles, we celebrate their achievement in
becoming National Champions. The Ball however,
does not celebrate achievement, but character and
possibility. Unlike every other School tradition, the
Ball provides a splendid opportunity to celebrate a
cohort of fine young people, as well as make clear
statements about a range of principles we hold
dear. So, what is it the Ball now celebrates?
Firstly, we value each individual! Whilst our
students may stand alongside others, at the Ball
and throughout their lives, we recognize that
they are complete and therefore need not. For
this reason, we introduced each one individually
to clearly state that we value each of them as
a precious child of God and as a member of
our community. We honoured each one as a
celebration of their individuality, their uniqueness,
the joy they bring to us and the potential they
offer the world. We do the same every day at
BMGS. We demonstrate in many and varied ways
that we value every student: we differentiate the
curriculum to ensure they each have access; we
offer programs to engage their various interests,
passions and talents; we care for them when
they need additional support; and we look for
opportunities to honour each one as a celebration
of their individuality and uniqueness.
Secondly, we value tradition! Students have
always worn formal attire to the Ball; wonderful
preparation for their lives beyond School. When we
don the garb of a culture, we at least acknowledge,
if not celebrate, the history and traditions of that
culture. Whilst there are aspects of our western
cultural tradition we no longer endorse, we dress
in this manner in recognition of the many gifts that
our history provides us. In doing so however, we
also equip our young people with the familiarity
and confidence to embrace the many occasions
in their future where they will be called upon to
wear formal attire and attend, or indeed organize,
formal gatherings of this type. We value tradition
at School also. By wearing of our formal School
uniform, we honour and celebrate 100 years of
culture and tradition and the blessing this is to each
BMGS graduate.
Thirdly, we value difference! In a seasonal theme,
this year our students attended the inaugural
Winter Ball dressed in the traditional Black and
White. These visual opposites are now intended
to make a clear statement about our School’s
approach to difference. At BMGS we do not behave
like our increasingly polarised world, and reject
difference, including differences of opinion. Nor
do we simply tolerate those who are different, or
those who think differently. As the promenading
partners demonstrated at the Ball, we choose to
embrace those who are different and let their lives
intertwine with ours, because that is how we create
something beautiful. We do the same at School
every day.
We embrace those whose opinions are different
from our own and let their ideas dance with ours,
discovering that there is beauty in the exchange
and often, the the truth is between us.