With the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles both losing their AFL matches over the weekend, post match interviews have featured the usual clichés of "one week at a time", "one percenters" and "focused on our own game". It is interesting to consider these well-worn phrases in the context of our own academic year. The academic year has passed the mid-point of the "season" and for the Year 12s, the finals await in October. Regardless of year group, the qualities that lead to success on the sporting field are similar to those that lead to success in the classroom, on the stage and in life generally.
One week at a time -great achievements are often based on one task, performed to the best of our ability, at a time. Mark Donaldson, a Victoria Cross recipient describes this as "doing one thing properly, then the next thing properly and staying in the moment". Some boys have a tendency to underestimate what they can achieve over a long period of time through consistent application. Complete the next task as well as you can and you have begun the journey to success.
One percenters - making the extra effort to do what others may not consider essential. In football these are the acts that often don't get recorded on a player's statistics; for example, a spoil, knock-on or shepherd. In the academic programme, one percenters could be revising daily rather than just completing homework or assessment tasks, a good night's sleep, a study environment that does not have music playing. On their own, one percenters don't make much difference but added up over time they have the potential to change the final result. Be prepared to make the extra effort.
Focussed on our own game - boys can often be heard asking, "What did you get?" to those around them when an assessment item is handed back. Their question may be used to assess the merit of their own result. For example, an IB grade of 5 may be judged as a good result if those around you received 3s and 4s. The same result on the same task, however, may be perceived as disappointing if those around you received 6s and 7s. The critical reference points for learning are our own prior work and the aspirations and goals for future learning, not how we compare to others in the class or cohort. Boys can only control their own efforts in preparing for an assessment.
Finally, with the boys in the cast and crew for this week's Year 11 and 12 production of The Tempest having worked hard on the 'one percenters' over an extended period of time, I encourage those interested in high quality theatre to come along and enjoy the production commencing this Wednesday evening and concluding with a matinee and evening performance on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased through Book a Scotch Event on the Scotch College website.
Dr Rob McEwan
Head of Senior School
