What does it mean to achieve?

Recently, I listened to Ben Crowe speak of the difference between a goal and a purpose. Ben Crowe is a mindset coach who has worked across many layers of industry primarily in and with elite sports. He has been a mindset guide for many champions including Ash Barty. 

His opinion is that quite often we confuse what is typically a goal with our purpose. He would argue that a goal is achievable and something that may one day be conquered. This varies from our purpose, which, needs continual attention and refocusing. For example, a goal for a student may be to achieve an academic award. A purpose may be to focus on building their intellectual capacity for the benefit of others. He was clear to point out that while we may more often fail to achieve our goals, we can continue to remain focussed on our purpose. 

However, his overwhelming opinion, was that it is through the experiences of “losing” that we grow and incrementally, failure is a far greater teacher than success. When faced with a challenge, we can throw ourselves on the ground, or we can throw ourselves into refocusing on what our purpose is. 

Our overarching focus for this term in You Can Do It is achievement, particularly the valuing of individual differences and celebrating the unique set of skills that each of us contributes to the College. In Pacific Way, we will investigate the “we” component and how we collaborate and work toward our own expectations of achievement. Like all pursuits worth doing, accomplishment takes time. They are a continual work in progress and require persistence, resilience, and energy from all sides to meet goals.

When we fail to meet the goals and expectations that we expect for ourselves and falter, we learn valuable lessons about ourselves and each other. A favourite quote of mine is from Ash Barty that summed this thinking up “I never lost, I learnt.” Forgiveness and reflection are crucial in rebuilding our expectations when we falter. Our achievements must be tempered by understanding that our successes don’t define us and that all of us are uniquely worthy. 

In the past, I have listened to industry leaders speak about how best to prepare students for life beyond school; their primary focus tends to be on attributes rather than specific skill sets. They want people who can collaborate productively, problem-solve effectively, and importantly think creatively. Separating our triumphs from our worth is essential and what our pastoral care program here at Pacific, seeks to achieve.

Open Day Leaders

With our annual Open Day on Sunday, I would like to thank the many Year 5 students who have volunteered their time to lead tours of the College with new families. Service to others is a priority of the College and it speaks to the quality of our Year 5 leaders in that many students have volunteered to lead these tours and speak of the exciting opportunities that exist. 

ANZAC Day

Next Wednesday morning, our Junior College will gather to commemorate the sacrifices provided by our servicemen and women through the years and in an ongoing capacity in situations around the globe.

As the number of veterans dwindles it is important for young people to not only remember the sacrifices of the past but to accept the responsibility for continuing this legacy of remembrance into the future.

Thank you to the many families that plan to attend the ANZAC March in Caloundra on Thursday. We look forward to all Prep students attending for the first time to begin a tradition that will hopefully continue to grow through their time in the College. 

Take care and God bless.

Mr. Damian Davis, Head of Staff and Students P-5