Vol. 4 - 26 February 2015 - Melbourne Grammar School

Number 4 - 26 February 2015
From the Deputy Headmaster/ Head of Senior School
Quad Play
It was my pleasure to attend the Quad Play on Thursday last. The play this year was As You Like It by
William Shakespeare, a superb challenge for a young cast. There are several of Shakespeare’s plays
which are riotously funny, and this is one of them. This provides both a challenge to the cast, which must
find within itself wonderful comic timing and characterisation, but also for a young audience. I often get the
sense seeing young people at one of Shakespeare’s comedies that the first task of the company is to
make them aware it is okay to laugh! The cast of As You Like It managed this very well.
At the risk of singling out members of an ensemble cast, there were some wonderful performances in this
production. Freddie Young was entirely convincing as the romantic lead and Callum Johnstone a suitably
stern older brother to him. Andrew Udovenya had wonderful stage presence as Touchstone, the jester, and
both William Coote and Patrick Burnett were regal as Dukes. Jack Condie was a melancholy Jacques, and
performed the most famous soliloquy in the play, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women
merely players” with considerable relish. Andrew Pizzi, as a lovelorn shepherd, was a wonderfully comic
realisation of unrequited love. Special mention must also be made of Maddy Warrell, Maddy Galea and
Courtney Slatter all of whom contributed enormously to the comic energy of the production. They were
supported by a talented ensemble cast.
They were also supported by a substantial crew, and I would be loathe not to mention the role the crew
played in the success of the production. Much of their work happens in the background, but it is no less
important to the eventual realisation of the play. Particular congratulations must be extended to Sharon
Mulready, as director, and Alison Brunton as assistant director. Endless hours are invested in making a
production such as this a success. Their success in doing so was clear to all on Thursday night.
Academic Assembly
Last week, the Senior School assembly celebrated the academic life of the school. Those who achieved
Academic Colours in both Year 11 and Year 12 2014 were awarded their colours. In addition, 10 students
were awarded Academic Distinctions. The approbation of the assembly was overwhelming, and just
recognition of the efforts of those honoured.
The following students were awarded Year 11 Academic Colours on the basis of their A+ Grades in the
Year 11 Examinations in 2014:
...cont’d/..
Year 12 Academic Colours go to the top 10% of the year group based on ATAR: The following students have been
awarded Year 12 Academic Colours: (In ATAR order)
Year 12 Academic Colours
ATAR
Marcus Choi
99.20
Justin Ha
99.20
Henry Kiellerup
99.30
Robbie Bergin
99.50
William Allen
99.55
Piyusha Bannaheke
99.55
Nicholas Edwards
99.55
David Titeu
99.55
Jordan Stonier-Watson
99.60
Henry Storey
99.65
The following students, in addition to receiving Academic Colours, also receive MGS Academic
Distinctions. Academic Distinctions are given only to the top 5% of the year group based on ATAR
scores:
Year 12 Academic Colours and School Distinctions
ATAR
John Mainland
99.70
Damien Wu
99.70
Matthew Bowes
99.75
Marcus Soon
99.80
Charlie Weeden
99.85
Charles McMillan Summons
99.95
Hugo Umbers
99.95
For Year 12 Academic Colours , Year 12 Academic Distinction and Proxime Accessit 2014:
Michael Zeng
-
99.95
For Year 12 Academic Colours , Year 12 Academic Distinction and the co Academic Head of School for
2014:
William Chiang
-
99.95
For Year 12 Academic Colours , Year 12 Academic Distinction and the co Academic Head of School for
2014:
Mel Shu
Nick Evans
-
99.95
Headmaster’s Reflection
Whilst comprising only a small proportion of our total student cohort, boarders offer a great deal to the heart and soul
of Melbourne Grammar School. The 114 students boarding at MGS, from Years 7 through to 12, form an integral part
of our community. Students board from homes across Victoria, southern New South Wales, through to a variety of
Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
Last Sunday, the Boarders’ Family Day commenced with a Service in the Chapel of St Peter. Planned and organised
by the boarding students themselves, the Service contained a variety of prayers and personal reflections on the
concept of ‘identity’. The honest and genuine feelings expressed were memorable. There was standing room only as
parents enjoyed the Service, led by Senior School Chaplain, Reverend Hans Christiansen.
The Service was followed by a meeting of the Boarders’ Parent Network, led this year by President, Mrs Colleen
Henderson, who has two boys boarding at the School. Presentations from the Heads of School; Director of Boarding,
Mr Michael Shaw; and an introduction from the new Director of Students, Mr Geoff Guggenheimer; was followed by
an informative talk by the School Nurse, Ms Hayley Hubble. One aspect that emerged from this meeting was the
desire for strong interaction between boarding and day students at the School. Many day parents currently help by
driving boarding team mates to a variety of sporting venues, which is greatly appreciated by the School. Other day
parents invite boarders to their home for the weekend, which is a wonderful gesture.
Following the BPN meeting, families gathered in the boarders’ quadrangle for an enjoyable barbecue lunch. It was
interesting to talk to a number of new boarding parents and gain insight into their first interactions with MGS. Suffice
to say, this was overwhelmingly positive. I believe that the School has made significant improvements in recent years
with regards to boarding. We are especially fortunate to have so many Grammar teachers being involved in the
pastoral care of our boarders.
I commenced as a Boarding Housemaster in Perth nearly 30 years ago. Looking back on my time, I was often forced
into the role of ‘gatekeeper’, restricting students to the boarding campus for the vast majority of each term. The ethos
now is very different in the way in which boarders go out more frequently and families are warmly welcomed. A
recent initiative from Mr Shaw enables our boarders to sleep in and take ‘brunch’ on Sunday mornings, rather than an
early breakfast, which I know has been very well received. Families and guardians are invited to join boarders for
certain meals as well. In summary, boarding is in excellent shape at MGS and long may that always be the case.
Roy Kelley
From the Director of Leadership
For the Love of the Game
In the lead up to last year’s soccer World Cup one of the television stations screened a documentary about
the increasing professionalism of junior soccer in Brazil. It was suggested that soccer is now seen by many
Brazilian players and officials as more of a business than a sport. Elite training academies, or ‘talent
factories’ as they are more commonly termed, have sprung up across the country. Children as young as
seven are brought into these academies and systematically trained by teams of coaches, psychologists,
medical specialists and nutritionists.
In a country obsessed with soccer but afflicted by widespread poverty a child prodigy who becomes a
professional player is a valuable asset. As such parents are easily swayed when an academy shows
interest or an agent offers wads of cash for the signature of their nine-year-old son. Of most concern
though is a recent trend towards exporting young Brazilian players to European talent factories set up by
some of the world’s most famous and wealthy clubs. Young children are uprooted from their families to
spend up to a decade of their lives living and training intensively at these clubs. If they make it by their late
teens the club stands to earn substantial compensation from transfer fees. Many children do not make it
though and are subsequently discarded, often with very little to fall back on. The documentary featured
interviews with a number of Brazilian officials and former players, not all of whom were happy about the
direction the national sport is taking. It was felt that aspiring professional players are increasingly focused
on the monetary rewards rather than playing for the love of the game.
While I am not suggesting that junior sport in Australia has reached such a level of professionalism, I have
noticed a significant shift during my twenty years as an educator. More is demanded of junior coaches who
in turn may demand more of their players. Pre-season is starting earlier, facilities are expected to be stateof-the-art, training has become more scientific and gameplay more tactical. Junior athletes also seem to be
getting talent identified younger – drawn into various representative teams, combined sides and high
performance squads. For many children this sporting landscape is more positive than it is negative.
Opportunities abound and the standard of competition is second-to-none. But throughout my career I have
encountered many young people who can find this quite overwhelming. Often because they need to juggle
so many competing demands and commitments. I have also seen too many promising junior athletes
crippled by injury or suffer from burnout, a number quitting their chosen sport once they leave school.
At MGS, sport is a significant part of the School culture and co-curricular programme. There is no doubt
that our facilities are excellent and the APS competition amongst the best in the country. While playing ‘A’s’
or ‘Firsts’ level sport is something for students to aspire to, the strength of the programme is in its breadth
and depth. As an example, last weekend fifteen different sports and a total of 106 fixtures were played
across the three sub-schools. This degree of involvement ensures that participation remains a primary
focus. Of course a sports programme of this size requires an extraordinary amount of organisation. It also
relies heavily on the contribution of coaches. I have not worked at a school where so many teaching staff
coach or manage teams. Amongst other benefits such involvement provides an important pastoral
perspective. Occasionally tensions surface when seasons overlap or students are caught between
competing demands. To mitigate this the School and the APS have developed a number of policies which
are not only designed to protect the integrity of the competition, but most importantly the welfare of players.
It is my hope that as the nature of junior sport in this country continues to change, the very essence of
sport is not lost.
Nathan Jessup
From the Chaplain
Searching for Identity
Last Sunday I presided at the Boarders Family Eucharist. The Chapel was full and it was great to see and
meet so many of the families, some of whom had travelled considerable distances to be there on the day.
The theme of the service was Identity. At the service our students spoke powerfully about the search for
their own individual voice and the importance of the Boarding House in shaping their identity.
Forming an identity and finding one’s calling takes time and can change throughout one’s life. Often major
turning points in life make us question our lives and we may come closer to discover who we are and what
we are meant to do. Senior school is for most people a beginning place of deep questioning. At school we
may come to discover individual talents and find new interests, all of which help shape us as individuals. At
Senior School we may also come to know what we are definitely not interested in which can lead us to
discover what we love. My personal search for my calling began in Senior School years ago and it was
then, through the influence of brilliant teachers, that I discovered a love for philosophy and religion.
In Greek and Indian philosophy knowing oneself is the beginning and end of all the wisdom. ‘Know Thyself’
is the inscription written at the entrance to the ancient Apollo Temple in Greece where the Oracle of Delphi
resided. Throughout Plato’s writing and the Greek tragedies we find again and again the dictum: Know
Thyself. Likewise in Christian and Indian philosophy, particularly, in Buddhist teachings, knowing oneself is
continually emphasised.
Knowing oneself in Greek, Indian and Christian thought is not a narcissistic project. For when we truly
know who we are, we come to know others and that generates humility, compassion and a longing to help
others.
Sunday evening I attended the funeral Service of the late Bishop Barbara Darling. Bishop Barbara died
suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 67. Barbara was a woman of deep integrity. Barbara was among
the first women to be priested and the second woman to be consecrated Bishop in Australia and she was
Bishop to Anglican Schools in the Melbourne Diocese. She was a person who was grounded in her
Christian vocation to love others and she lived her calling beautifully. The packed St Paul’s Cathedral was
a testimony to the way Barbara touched our lives. Barbara always had time for other people, even when
she was busy with many things. Her being was love and servant-hood and her life of dedicated service was
an inspiration to many. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Blessings,
Rev’d Hans Christiansen
Student News
Drama The Year 9/10 Elective Drama class attended a Street Theatre workshop at Malthouse Theatre on Friday.
The workshop was conducted by Penny Baron from the company Born in Taxi. The boys explored the
methodology of performing in the street. The workshop was pitched at a high performance level and the
boys responded impressively. A lot of the work involved working as a group and finding ways to tell
stories non verbally. The boys were not only extremely focussed throughout, but were also prepared to
take the kind of risks necessary to work as a group.
The fruits of their labour will be in evidence at Arts Week.
Ned Manning (Drama)