As we enter Term 1 for 2024, it has been wonderful to share that our focus for 2024, is our Values of Engagement and Commitment.  As I unpacked this with staff during our Orientation week, it’s easy to a take a relatively self-serving view of the definition of these values.  If I sit and watch the Australian Open every night at the expense of other things, I am certainly engaged and committed, but it’s a reasonably indulgent and self-serving way to be engaged and committed. And not that challenging, all I need to do is sit on the couch. Unlike the players, I may be engaged and committed to the tennis but there’s no need to push through challenges.

During the break, I was given the Alan Joyce biography book for Christmas. I have always found Alan Joyce an interesting guy. I’ve met him twice, once on a flight home from London as we walked up to the gate to board.  I had also heard him speak when he held a debate in Melbourne with the founder of Virgin, Brett Godfrey.  They spoke about the challenges of starting a low-cost airline, one on its own, Virgin and one within an existing entity, Jetstar. So, with a bit of a feeling of knowing him, as I read his book, I could see why he polarised people. His employees really like him and like working for him: or they don’t! Over his time as CEO of Qantas, he upset a lot of people. As I began to understand the context a little more, his focus was primarily on ensuring the financial viability of the airline – that was his job! He ultimately served the Board and shareholders.

Was he engaged and committed to Qantas?... absolutely, no question. To its survival, to its financial viability, because only then can a business commit to providing a service. And it’s the only surviving airline in the country!  Along the way he took on unions, he took on challenges and despite calls for him to step down almost every year, he stayed committed to the task and in fairness, the Qantas Board stayed committed to him. So, while many have questioned his methods, one can’t dispute his engagement and commitment to the organisation – to ensuring its enduring success.

But on the flip side, did his engaged and committed approach to the financial viability of the airline come at a cost? Loyal customers and staff feeling like the company had lost its way? That’s the sting in the red tail, be careful you’re not so engaged and committed to a purpose, you let some of those core aspects of what is important get side-lined.

As we commence 2024, I am going to challenge our students as well, to ask, how would you demonstrate engagement and commitment?  Is it by doing what you want, the things you’re most passionate about?  Or is it something a little greater than just yourself? Obviously, ‘engaged and committed’ can refer to any part of our lives, our relationships, our personal health and wellbeing as well as our place of work and study.

In this context, I am talking about how we approach what we do here at St Andrew’s. How we show up each day, how we engage with others, how we contribute and engage with our sport teams and music ensembles, how we set goals and achieve those goals. One of the challenges of our modern thinking is how focused we all our on ourselves, the ease by which we can give something up, change course and not show commitment to the end. It is so important that we build this skill in our students, to stay committed, engaged, seeking to consider others, and give to others whilst still being engaged and committed with their own personal goals.

I shared with the students on our first day, (Tuesday) that as I commence my final year here at the College, I intend to stay 100% committed and engaged to St Andrew’s right up to my final day.  I know our College Council are committed to our current strategic plan and priorities and as they begin the important role of appointing a new Principal with the Anglican School’s Commission, they are looking to ensure St Andrew’s builds on the great foundations we’ve established in the last 20 years.  We are always working toward continuous improvement. The College has a clear Strategic Plan.  Council and the Executive team are committed to that plan, underpinned by Personal Capacity and our College Values.  Despite the reality of some changes from 2025, there is no change to St Andrew’s Vision, nor to our commitment to that.

For me, as I enter my 18th and last year, I want to make a promise to this community that I will continue to be just as engaged and committed as I have been every year.  So as you chat with your children this week, please ask them a simple question.  Where do you need to focus your attention in 2024 so that you are engaged and committed?  What is it you want to improve on or focus on from 2023?   And my question is, how can St Andrew’s help all our students to be engaged and committed?

As always I look forward to the start of every year, encouraged by the potential, the energy and the expectations we all have for our College, and I look forward to sharing this journey with our community.