4 Wilderness Times February 2014

We gather together tonight to give thanks for the year that has been, to acknowledge the achievements of our senior students and, in particular, to mark formally the graduation of our Year 12 class. Much has been achieved throughout 2013. The School has been busy with the seasons of its work, the learning journeys of both staff and students and the community life that defines Wilderness. Beyond the academic, we have been, and continue to be, committed to our girls’ general wellbeing. Like you, who place them in our care, our desire is to support all students to develop into well-rounded, healthy individuals who can take their place as informed, principled and engaged members of our society.

In educational circles and beyond there has been a great deal of attention on wellbeing and positive psychology. Many educators have associated the concept of wellbeing with the pursuit of happiness. There are international conferences on this theme, research institutes at prestigious universities and even films dedicated to the cause.

Recently, I read a book written by social researcher and psychologist Hugh Mackay that brought into clarity many of the discussions we have held regarding our beliefs about well-being at Wilderness. Mackay claims that as 21st century citizens living in a prosperous country we have developed a utopian world view which is underpinned by a dangerous desire for perfection and a false expectation that life will unfold according to our carefully laid plans. More importantly, he claims that we are in danger of engendering in our children an expectation that happiness is a natural entitlement, a little like universal health care, and that in leading our children to expect too much, they lack the capacity to persist, to value rigour and to rebound from failure. While we wish to protect our children, we do them a great disservice if we do not equip them to experience the full range of emotions and to know that sadness, disappointment and loss are a natural part of life.

Mackay’s conclusion, drawn from his research, is provocative and passionately argued, that we should be less concerned with feeling good and more concerned with doing good.

Principal’s ReportHe argues that security, wealth, status, achievement or even, dare I say it, levels of happiness do not measure a good life. Rather, a good life is determined by our capacity for selflessness and our willingness to connect with those around us in meaningful and useful ways. A good life is marked by ‘a courteous respect for others’ rights, responsiveness to others’ needs and a concern for others’ wellbeing; a life marked by kindness and compassion’.

How to live a good life is a perennial question that has echoed throughout all philosophical traditions whether from East or West. Aristotle taught that the ideal life was the life of ‘eudaimonia’, which translates to ‘flourishing’. Aristotle’s brand of well-being involved fulfilling one’s sense of purpose, being an active citizen, being fully engaged in the world and most importantly experiencing the richness of love and friendship, all qualities that resonate our school values.

Wellbeing and education are, properly, intimately connected. Questions about the kinds of adults our children should become are salient concerns for all schools. The consideration of what it means to live a good life should be an aim of education, and a good education should contribute significantly to personal and collective fulfilment. As a school we have long been concerned with the education of the whole girl. Work on our Resilience curriculum began in the 1990s. What preoccupies us in 2013 and beyond, is our responsibility for preparing girls for a future that remains relatively unknown and enabling them to grow in their understanding of the contributions of good character to a flourishing life.

We acknowledge that this work is not our domain alone. There is an ancient African word ‘ubuntu’ which means, “I am what I am because of who we all are.” We know it takes many to raise a girl.

Principal’s Report

5Wilderness Times February 2014

One of the greatest assets in preparing for a flourishing life is to have engaged, informed and inspiring teachers. At Wilderness the girls have this in abundance. As each girl passes through our school there will be teachers who touch her deeply, who she will remember in defining moments of her life, the lessons learnt inspiring from afar. I thank our academic staff for their outstanding dedication and professionalism and wish them a well-deserved rest over the holiday break.

I also pay tribute to the non-teaching staff and the enormous amount of work done behind the scenes for the benefit of our students, often unheralded. You are the unsung heroes who sit in the background, yet who we know embody the culture of care and support that is Wilderness.

Every day I rely on my Senior Leadership Team to work with me to give voice to the vision we each share for the School. Their depth of understanding, their love for Wilderness, their honesty and integrity are of enormous value and I thank them most sincerely.

The end of an academic year often marks a time of change for many of our staff and this year is no exception. We wish those who are setting aside their roles at Wilderness every joy and blessing for the future.

A school, such as ours, is much more than the staff and students. So much of what we do is possible only through the voluntary efforts of many across the School community.

The Council of Governors have devoted much time and given deep consideration to a range of issues this year and I thank each of you for your leadership and support. You bring knowledge, expertise and wisdom to the challenges of governing the school. I am particularly thankful for the work of the subcommittees of Council and the ongoing personal support afforded me by our Chair, Mr Ken Williams. I also make particular mention of Mr Tony Harrison who left us earlier this year to take up his important role as Chief Executive for the Department of Education and Child Development. Tony, we wish you well in this critical work.

A strong P & F is vital to a healthy school community. The Parents and Friends Committee, under the generous leadership of Mr Mark Mackintosh, continues to build and nurture the relationships in our community, providing many opportunities throughout the year for us to come together to strengthen the connection between home and school.

Our students today are the beneficiaries of years of philanthropy and this legacy continues under the guidance of Dr Susanna Proudman, the Foundation Board and the Events Subcommittee who reach out, actively engaging support to advance the School’s development and growth.

Our Old Scholars’ Association has over 4,000 members who together create a vibrant network of women. The Committee, led by Mrs Jodie Escott, volunteers their time to ensure the continued wellbeing of our alumni network throughout the world.

To those and the many other volunteer committees including the Rowing and Lacrosse clubs who contribute so willingly, thank you. You all add to the life and richness of our school.

I thank too all our senior students for their enthusiasm, their love of learning and the openness with which they take on the different opportunities offered over the year.

And so, we turn our attention to you, our graduating students.

Many of you have been here for 13 years, some of you for less. However long, each one of you has made indelible impressions on our School family. You have done wonderful things in your time here and you will be missed. We have spoken about the importance of rites of passage and tonight is one such moment and while we know that we cannot determine what you will become in the future, we have done our best to fit you out for the journey in the knowledge that with a good education and with a compass of sound values and ethical principles you are ready to begin your next stage toward your imagined, but as yet unknown destination.

As this is my last opportunity to formally address you, it is my privilege to share some insights that may be useful in guiding your way. Tomorrow, in a very real sense, your life, the life you build as an adult, begins. I hope that you build good lives, lives not defined purely by the pursuit of happiness. Rather lives filled with meaning and purpose. The choices you make, the actions you take and the things you value will determine how you proceed. If you lead a good life, many moments of happiness will follow.

To live a good life it is necessary to find what you are good at. Find a passion and a purpose that utilises your talent. Already, each of you has talents to share; those talents, combined with your personal attributes, create a unique mix that gives you your identity, and makes you the unique individual that you are. It is important to remember that true talent is built up through practice and well-intentioned effort. But there is no one else in the whole world who is exactly the same as you and there never has been in the history in the universe. That is truly amazing and certainly something worth valuing!

Be true to yourself. Don’t feel that the purpose of your life is to live up to someone else’s vision for you. Create your own dreams and strive toward those goals that mean something to you. It is only when we live authentic lives that we find true purpose and meaning. So even if you don’t know right now what your passion and purpose is trust that you will find out along the way.

As you journey through the many exciting adventures that await you, be in the moment. In today’s hyperconnected, hypercompetitive world, it is easy to become so busy and focused on the future that we don’t stop and take the time to appreciate the now. So be in the moment. Don’t spend too much time looking back. The past cannot be changed and the future cannot be predicted. The only time that we have any real control over is the now.

Treasure your friendships. They need to be nurtured. One of the defining

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Principal’s Reportcharacteristics of humanity that distinguishes it from all other forms of existence is a deeply engrained need for relationships and affiliation with others, a need for friendship. For us it is an indispensable aspect of a life worth living. No amount of wealth, status, or power can adequately compensate for a life devoid of genuine friends.

And finally, most importantly, be kind. The famous writer Aldous Huxley said: “People often ask me what is the most effective technique for transforming their life. It is a little embarrassing that after years and years of research and experimentation, I have to say that the best answer is–just be a little kinder.”

This sounds easy but trust me it’s not. Being kind is hard. It requires thought and consideration. It requires that we step into the shoes of the person standing opposite us and that we pause in our busy lives to listen, to smile, to genuinely care for those around us, to want the best for them, and to recognize in them the same wants, needs, aspirations, and even fears that we share.

Each of us will remember the time we could have been kinder. When a word spoken too soon or an opportunity to express care for another was overlooked. Each day will allow you an opportunity to add something positive to the life of another. Herein lies our potential for a life that is both connected and fulfilled.

So as you leave us today to follow your dreams I leave you to ponder these questions:

What kind of life will you live? What choices will you make?

Will you follow the dreams of others or will you chart your own course?

Will inertia be your guide, or will you follow your passions?

Will you avoid discomfort or will you be brave?

Will you choose a life of ease, or a life of service and adventure?

Will you wilt under criticism, or will you follow your convictions?

Will you harbour resentment or will you be forgiving?

Will you play it safe, or will you be daring?

When it’s tough, will you give up, or will you be courageous?

Will you be clever at the expense of others, or will you be kind?

(Adapted from Jeff Bezoz, Princeton University, Commencement Speech, 2010)

I hope that you will be brave and independent in your thinking, adventurous in your endeavours and that with compassion and kindness you will flourish and all lead very good lives.Jane Danvers Principal

Wilderness Times February 2014