Where do you find inspiration?
Often, we find inspiration from the big and heroic moments in public life.
It could be the inspiration found through spaceflight like the Artemis II slingshot around the moon earlier. Humanity reaching beyond Earth and into the wide expanse of space.
Inspiration from sporting accomplishments such as Dom Sheed’s 2018 end of Grand Final winning goal for the Eagles. Training and determination coming through in clutch moments.
Inspiration from the lives of Saints, we’re acknowledging this week the courage of St Maximilian Kolbe who willingly gave his life to save another prisoner at Auschwitz. The sacrifice made to make the world a better place.
In all the inspirational moments, there is always a connection to others, a shared sense of humanity. Inspirational actions that are based on individual efforts linked to collective goals.
I’ve been inspired by these big and heroic moments. That final sequence to the 2018 Grand Final winning goal has gotten me through a fair few long seasons since!
Last Semester when I needed a proper energy boost and spark of inspiration, I didn’t rewatch that kick on goal, instead I walked through Kolbe classrooms and the Walsh Learning Centre.
There I witnessed the many individual efforts of students over Semester 1 working towards the collective value of excellence. Striving for your personal best is a core element to excellence and takes consistency and resilience to achieve.
Afterschool there are often students sitting and studying for upcoming assessments; small groups using whiteboards to brainstorm ideas; senior students in Homework Club sessions; and clusters of budding mathematicians participating in maths tutoring.
I’ve been able to celebrate the outcome of all these moments of individual and collective dedication at the recent Principal Morning Teas. A chance to celebrate outstanding Semester 1 reports from Years 7-12, a reflection of those attending who strove for their personal best. At each year group event we’ve congratulated the sustained effort made and the outstanding achievements as a result.
Seeing many of the students with outstanding reports also being fixtures of the performing arts, sporting teams, Christian service, PC Masses and the like is a reminder of the holistic approach to education at Kolbe and the benefits from making the most of all the opportunities available.
Big and heroic actions can be inspiring in the moment, however I find greater inspiration and sustained joy from witnessing the small and everyday choices our young people make to strive for excellence.
