Lifelong connections
I recently attended the 40 year reunion dinner for the Class of 1975. Along with College staff and a couple of teachers from that era, it was wonderful to see the strength of bonds forged years ago, instantly connect friends back together. Listening to a number of conversations it was obvious that after the usual catch up of personal recent developments in people’s lives, the conversations start to revolve around discussions of school events, as if they had happened yesterday.
School trips, House competitions, tales of life in the boarding house and the antics and achievements as school boys caused much laughter and memories of shared experiences.
Many things about life at school have now changed. The use of technology and, of course, a much enlarged and coeducational environment replacing the one that had only boys in grey suits and a Junior School at Glen Waverley that was yet to celebrate its tenth anniversary. On reading the online version of the 1975 Chronicle editorial in preparation to speak at the dinner, I was interested to read the still ongoing debate about the decision to award equal status for arts colours, to match those awarded in sport and a part of the school culture for decades. I am sure students in 2015 would be surprised to think there was a debate about Wesley providing equal acknowledgment for both the arts and sport. Like many in our community, I am continually impressed by the talent, dedication and hard work that students demonstrate in theatre and music productions at all campuses, as well as the commitment and determination shown at grounds, courts and, as it is spring season, in the pool and athletics track.
On Thursday night the annual First Teams’ Dinner provided a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the value and importance of sport across the College and also celebrate the success of so many teams across the 19 sports now on offer at Wesley. It is also a reminder of the enormous amount of work that the Sports Directorate staff do to organise sport throughout the year.
All of these activities provide a balance to the ongoing work in the classroom and provide the shared living memories that will be the source of many stories to be shared 20, 30 and 40 years on.
As this particularly cold winter term comes to an end many students will be looking forward to a break. However, Wesley activities continue during the holidays with students and staff involved in tours and hosting partnerships to Spain, Japan, Central Australia and Queensland. For Year 12 students this is a busy and hopefully very productive time to complete course work and revise, in preparation for trial exams in the last week of the holidays. The last weeks of school for our graduating students will be filled with Speech Night, the Valedictory Service and dinners, before the final challenge of the end-of-year exams begins.
For those having a break enjoy the time and we look forward to next term and warmer weather.
