Dear parents and friends,
“Success isn’t final, failure isn’t fatal. It’s the courage to keep going that truly counts.” – Winston Churchill
I have been reflecting on this quote from Winston Churchill over the last few weeks as I have celebrated the numerous successes of students and staff. From achieving national and state selection in a variety of sports, achieving excellent results in examinations, overcoming health challenges to improving their attendance and making positive choices, the successes have been inspiring.
But what is more inspiring is the continuous journey of growth and achievement to attain these respective successes. Each accomplishment, big or small, reflects dedication, hard work, and talents. These students and staff members have reminded me to celebrate the success but to remember that true success lies in the courage to keep setting goals, pursuing passions, and challenging ourselves beyond comfort. We need to remind our young people and ourselves that failure is not the end, instead it is an opportunity to:
- Grow and learn. Failure highlights areas where we can improve, exposes weaknesses or gaps in our knowledge, and pushes us to develop new skills. Embracing failure as a learning experience allows us to evolve and become better versions of ourselves.
- Demonstrate Resilience and Perseverance: Failure teaches us resilience and the importance of perseverance. It shows us that setbacks and obstacles are part of the journey to success. By learning from our failures, adapting our strategies, and persisting in the face of adversity, we can develop the resilience needed to overcome future challenges.
- Reflect: Failure encourages us to engage in critical self-reflection. It prompts us to analyse what went wrong, identify the factors that contributed to the failure, and understand the lessons to be learned. This reflection enables us to make informed decisions, avoid repeating past mistakes, and adjust our approach for future endeavours.
- Learn Humility and Empathy: Failure humbles us and cultivates empathy. It reminds us that everyone experiences setbacks, and that success is not guaranteed. This understanding fosters compassion and empathy towards others who may be going through their own struggles. It also encourages collaboration and support, as we recognise the value of learning from and supporting each other.
As parents and carers, thank you for the work you do in supporting our students to overcome obstacles and failures and reminding them that…
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, … And you want to smile but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don’t you quit. – Edgar A Guest
God bless!
Giovanna Fiume | Principal
