Acting Principal
Last week, I had the chance to speak to our Academic Firsts. These boys in Year 12 have achieved results in the top 10% of the Year 12 cohort. The figures are derived from those who have received average raw scores above 90% and/or have ranked in the top tenth percentile for four or more of their General subjects. In many ways, my speech to them summed up many of the fundamental values I have been covering on assembly and in my newsletter articles this year. I know not all boys can make the Academic Firsts, just as not all boys will make the Football Firsts or Rugby Firsts. However, the advice I offered these seniors is relevant to all our boys.
With that in mind, I offered five simple guiding principles for them to consider as they complete their Nudgee journey and then life beyond.
1) Have a passion and thirst for knowledge. Never stop learning; whether here at the College or in the workplace, your success will come from your skills and ability to distinguish yourself above others. Use every spare minute of every day to learn new things, expand your horizons, and know more about what you knew before. Always strive to be the expert in your field. Knowledge and skills give you insight, making you more valuable to those around you.
2) Step outside your comfort zone. Never stop stretching your boundaries. Take the risk. Be confident in yourself to achieve. Successful people embrace risk and learn from their mistakes. Avoiding danger is a sure way to becoming mediocre. Staying safe does not promote personal or professional growth. Making a mistake is never a bad thing. You will never be measured or judged by a single mistake. The only people who never make a mistake are those who do nothing.
3) Be confident. Know your abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Others will respect you. Do not be boastful or egotistical. You can always be replaced.
4) Be a team player and build strong relationships. Relationships will be critical in everything you do. Treat others with respect in all situations. Listen carefully to what they have to say. Approach every interaction as an opportunity to learn from someone or teach someone. People are inherently good. They want to help those around them. They can and will become your network for bigger and better things. Never miss an opportunity to establish a relationship that will be valuable to you. Always seek out those you respect to help mentor you. A mentor is someone who is more skilled and accomplished and can help you better navigate the everyday challenges that you will encounter.
5) Be resilient. The most successful people are some of the most resilient, who quickly bounce back after a crushing blow or minor setback. The most successful entrepreneurs failed many times before they found what worked. Remember that failures and mistakes are part of life. Stay grounded in values and be flexible.
Finally, never, ever compromise your integrity. Your reputation is everything, and without it, you are nothing. Be known for being honest, fair and consistent in all that you do. There is nothing more powerful in any business than trust. It unlocks doors and is the most critical element to anyone’s success. With trust comes respect, and how you earn respect is by doing what is right, regardless of personal risk. You know the difference between “right and wrong”, so always strive to do what is right.
I think Ralph Waldo Emerson captured it best when he wrote.
Success is
To laugh often and much
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better,
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived
This is to have succeeded!
Mr David Johnston
Acting Principal
