Principal's Message Week 1 Term Two

On one of my walks with my daughter during the holidays, I observed an older boy/young man patiently teaching and modelling the steps in how to do a handstand to a young boy. It was a picture-perfect afternoon, and the older boy demonstrated, then demonstrated again, the first move of simply putting hands down on the ground. The younger boy watched and then imitated. This progressed to putting hands down and launching upwards. He did this a number of times, and the younger boy took it in. From there, the steps continued to unfold. The younger boy practised, failed, and then tried again.

At one stage, they went back to the beginning. Putting hands down on the ground. This simple adventure continued as we walked on through the park. As a keen observer of the human condition, I was fascinated by the graciousness and generosity of the older boy to the younger boy. They barely spoke. Instead, there was modelling, and imitating, modelling and imitating, and lots of practical and literal hands-on learning. There was much laughter and beaming smiles.

What a privilege to behold two young men engaging with each other in such a wholesome way. There was no phone, no equipment, and no nonsense. The young boy was receiving so much more than a lesson in how to do a handstand. He was being gifted with time, patience, relationship, understanding, and skill-building. He also learned that some things require repetition, and practice. He also would have learned that he was not as good at handstands as his older friend.

I wondered whether these two were brothers.

It doesn’t matter. Even if they weren’t related by blood, they were brothers in ways that really count. That’s what I hope for our boys here at Ambrose Treacy College. I see this fraternal care being extended by older boys to younger boys frequently. And it is brotherly.

Condolences