For those who came before us...
The past few weeks have been a time of reflection and gratitude. Across the College, we have paused to recognise the sacrifice of the OWs who served as ANZACs in World War I and honour the service men and women who continue to serve our country every day.
We have also celebrated the founders of Wesley College who in 1866, established the 'Best School of All’. The first Founders' Day was celebrated on 28 May 1906 at the Vienna café in Melbourne on Walter Powell's birthday, one of the College’s founders. Founders’ Day was introduced by L.A. Adamson, the longest serving Principal of Wesley College (1902 to 1932). He devoted himself to promoting school spirit and creating a feeling of pride, hence the celebratory nature of the Founders' Day assemblies we enjoy today.
Read how each campus celebrated these special events.
Elsternwick Campus
Anzac Day
At the Elsternwick Campus, Junior School students learnt about the meaning of wreath laying, the Ode, bugle playing and the minute’s silence before experiencing their own Anzac Day commemorative service.
The Middle School community held a special assembly in recognition of the ANZACs, laying a wreath to pay respect to those who served, and continue to serve, our country. Elsternwick teacher Peter McOrist shared his personal history as a descendant of those who served in WWI, emphasising that the ANZAC legacy impacts all in our community. It was a poignant and meaningful tribute to all veterans of Australia's Armed Forces.
Founders’ Day
Principal Nick Evans shared the meaning behind the crest’s symbols at our Middle School Founders’ Day Assembly. He explained that the Southern Cross in the cross quarters of the shield is a visual representation of our motto, while the lion symbolises courage, vigilance and a readiness to act in the daring pursuit of wisdom. The books in the second and third quarters symbolise the wisdom to be gained from learning and the lamp in the fourth quarter symbolises the light of wisdom.
Guest speaker Nana Owusu-Afriyie (OW2016), an inspiring and accomplished athlete, spoke about what makes Wesley such a special place to learn and grow.
The Junior School enjoyed hearing from news reporter and radio presenter Tom Browne (OW2000) during their Founders’ Day assembly. Tom described what it is like to work in TV and radio, how his experiences at Wesley helped him in his career in the media and inspired students to consider the vast possibilities for their future careers. And of course, it would not be a Wesley Junior School Founder’s Day assembly without a visit from Wes the Lion and the hearty singing of ‘Happy Birthday’ to celebrate Wesley’s founding.
Glen Waverley Campus
The first two weeks of term have compromised of two significant assemblies, both very different, but just as important as each other.
On Thursday 27 April we held our ANZAC commemoration service and as always, I was immensely proud of how our young people respected and honoured the moment and sat in deep reflection over the act of service to one’s country and service to others. It was a moving ceremony, as we watched the flags lower while the Last Post rang out. You could hear a pin drop as we stood for a minute’s silence.
Our guest speaker, Michael Black, the immediate past president of the Waverley RSL, addressed our students and spoke of the importance of living together in harmony and peace, and how important it is to understand that despite our differences, underneath it all, we are the same. As the service concluded, we moved to the Lone Pine just outside the rear entrance to Senior School to lay a wreath. Students and special guests prayed for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and that peace will prevail.
A week later, we celebrated Founders’ Day. This was a very different assembly indeed! Spirits were high and the energy even higher as we were treated to three different but equally outstanding music performances from Junior Strings, Piccolo Canto, Soul Band and our choirs. Of course, our wonderful Chappie did not let us down, and for the third year running, his message drove home the importance of reflecting on the past to inform the future. This year he encouraged us to ‘spring into action’ to take advantage of all the Founders’ built for us, and how very proud they would be of the College we have become 157 years after we opened our doors to students.
We were also lucky to have Natalie Porter (OW1998) join us to share her experience as an Olympic basketballer at the 2004 Athens Games, where the Opals won a silver medal. Natalie connected her Wesley experience to her illustrious career in sport, but also spoke about how it helped her undertake a Bachelor of Business and start her own travel company. Of course, no Founders’ Day is complete without a visit from Wes the Lion, and we all enjoyed dancing with him to ‘Wesley Now and Always’.
Commemorating and celebrating these significant moments in our history helps to shape the culture of our campus as we take time to reflect on what it means to wear purple.
St Kilda Road Campus
On Anzac Day, the College Football community continued their tradition of hosting a breakfast for over 200 Senior footballers and families and the visiting team from Prince Alfred College, Adelaide. Philip Powell (OW1973) led a fascinating wartime history tour of the campus highlighting monuments for fallen soldiers. A group of Senior School students represented the College by marching in the parade.
Our Junior, Middle and Senior School students started the term with moving services to honour those who sacrificed themselves for our freedom. Each Anzac Day service was personalised by the reading of the names of Old Wesleyans who paid the ultimate price as the wreath was ceremonially carried through the audience. The playing of The Last Post and Reverie was met with silence and stillness.
We were once again steeped in Wesley’s history in Week 2, as we celebrated Founders’ Day. Assemblies provided an opportunity to consider what it means to wear purple. Our Junior School were amazed at the sight of past Wesley uniforms – and Principal Nick Evans donning his own purple blazer. Students in Middle and Senior School were inspired by Emma Carney (OW1989), a world record breaking triathlete, who reflected on the importance of her connection to Wesley, importance of her education, her ongoing connection to Wesley, and how persistence and resilience were fundamental to her success.
