Doing a Bradbury” – an unexpected or unusual success –
2022 Winter Olympics Reflections
Sunday night saw the completion of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Sixteen days of competition, including times of heartache & pain, incredible achievements, pride and at times pure joy. Throughout the past 2 weeks, secondary students have been reflecting on the value of competition and giving your best – accepting challenges as opportunity for growth, rather than being boxed in by fear of failure.
Australia has never been a Winter Olympic powerhouse, but we have seen some wonderful achievements at these Olympics – 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze, our best medal tally ever! For me, these Olympics have reminded me of one particularly amazing achievement by a former Australian Speedskater, Steven Bradbury way back in 2002.
Steven Bradbury won a gold medal in Speed Skating (1000m) in the most amazing circumstances. He won his heat, then in the quarter finals only the first 2 skaters progress – Bradbury came 3rd but progressed as the 2nd skater was disqualified! In the semi-final, only the first 2 skaters progress to the final and during the last lap with Bradbury a long way back, 3 of the other 4 skaters fell over, so Bradbury progressed to the gold medal race. In the final, Bradbury while dead last, well behind the leading 4 skaters by at least 10m, watched in amazement as a collision of skates saw all 4 skaters in front of him fall. Only Bradbury remained, skating on past the disaster zone to win the gold medal. The vision is in the youtube clip below should you wish to remind yourself.
There are many life lessons we can learn from Steven Bradbury’s experience, but I have taken the following lessons from our unexpected Winter Olympic gold medallist.
- It takes hard work to be successful.
Bradbury spent hours and hours training, over and over and over again just to qualify for the Olympic games.
- In every adventure, as in everyday living, we all need to overcome different obstacles.
Bradbury overcame many serious injuries and pain. 3 Olympics of heartache were part of his journey. Facing challenges and hard work builds resilience – it doesn’t need to defeat us.
- You impact others every day with the attitude and effort you bring.
- Bradbury won Australia’s 1st Gold ever (2002), now 6 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze
- From Bradbury’s success others saw possibilities in themselves
- You can’t win a race, a competition, an audition or a job if you’re not in the event!
Yes – Bradbury was lucky – but he made it to the start line. He said I’ll give it a go and see what happens. Don’t let “what if’s” or the “if only” dictate your life experience. Substitute these statements with “why not” and “absolutely, you bet”
As the 2022 school year is still so very new. I encourage every St Stephen’s student to take every opportunity, to challenge yourself to be involved in every aspect of school life. Invest in your School, in your House, in your Homeroom and in the lives of others within our school. Give of yourself. Your talents. Your skills and have an attitude that says “I will”. With this mindset, I have no doubt that you will be “doing a Bradbury”, that is you will achieve an unexpected or unusual success in much more than you could have possibly imagined.
Mr Russell Gilchrist (Dean of Parresia)
WINTER OLYMPICS
WORKS OF ART
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT
Over the Christmas break some dedicated students from the Senior Guitar Ensemble were involved in an exciting music project. Year 10 student Nathaniel Walker arranged the theme to the movie ‘Interstellar’ for the ensemble and selected students recorded the work in a professional studio under the direction of their director Mr Darryn Santana. The session was filmed and edited by our Music Tutor and alumnus Ms Gina Craven. This is the product of inspired and motivated students, facilitated by dedicated staff.
Congratulations and thanks to Nathaniel Walker, Charlie Schoeman, Damon Mansfield, Aaron Popich, Liam Gordon, Megan Van Reenen and Noah Carter.
Please click the link below to see the wonderful things our students get up to in their free time, and do congratulate them next time you pass them in the halls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypwPohGDpIU
Michelle Williams (Music teacher)
SECONDARY ASSISTANCE SCHEME
The State Government through the Western Australian Department of Education provides an allowance to assist eligible families with secondary schooling costs.
Parents/guardians must apply for the Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS) each school year (annually) – applications do not carry forward to future years.
To be eligible for the allowance the parent/guardian must hold a Services Australia (Centrelink) or Veterans’ Affairs card that represents a statement of income for the family.
The allowance consists of two components:
$115 Clothing Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian.
$235 Educational Program Allowance paid directly to the school.
Application is made by the parent or guardian for student/s enrolled in Years 7–12 studying a full-time secondary course at a Western Australian non government (private) school.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Parent or Guardian must hold one of the following cards:
Centrelink Health Care Card
Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
PLEASE NOTE: The only Veterans’ Affairs Card that meets the criteria is a blue card that is issued each year and expires in December each year. This card is income means tested.
Further Information and application forms can be obtained from Reception.
Applications close: 8 April 2022