Shalom College eNewsletter

Principal's Reflection

"Sports Stars caught in compromising situation….” is a headline that is sadly, not uncommon. As is often the case, the majority are tarred by the actions of the few. Last week at Shalom, we were so privileged to have three of Australia’s outstanding sports stars talking to our students. On Thursday we welcomed World Boxing Champion, Jeff Horn, to speak to our students about strategies to reduce and avoid bullying.

On Friday, at our ‘Empowering Women’ breakfast, we welcomed Netball star, Gretel Bueta (Tippett) and Rugby League Legend, Ali Brigginshaw. They all spoke so well to our students and conducted themselves with enormous humility and grace. The messages each of these individuals delivered to Shalom students were powerful and pertinent and went far beyond sport. Unlike so many other fighters, Jeff Horn never spoke disrespectfully about his opposition before a contest.

Jeff spoke more about the fights he lost than those that he won. Gretel Bueta spoke about the challenges of juggling being a mother and a world class athlete. Ali Brigginshaw talked about her journey as a kid from Ipswich to being, arguably, the best female Rugby League player of the modern era. The students who were privileged to listen to these three individuals learned so many great lessons. None more so than the common theme of being able to work and persist through failure and setbacks to achieve a goal. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. I was particularly taken by something that Ali Brigginshaw shared. She recalled being young and overconfident and wanting to be recognised before she was ready. An early coach and mentor, Graham Murray, gave her three steps that he said she had to achieve before she would be able to get where she needed to go. Three steps that changed her life, in and out of sport –

1. Be on time
2. Be in uniform
3. Use your manners

Ali also mentioned that at the end of each training session, since that time, she shakes the hand of her coaches and thanks them for their efforts. So maybe she could add –

4. Be grateful

Ali said that she had often heard about virtues like, Resilience and Integrity and Character but that she didn’t really understand those words. Graham Murray’s three rules summarised those and made sense to her. Since implementing those in all areas of her life, she has captained her team, her country and made her a better wife, mother and worker. I hope every Shalom student can remember and implement those three steps.

Bundaberg Regional Council will be doing some filming in the next few weeks in Eggmolesse Street to have a look at traffic patterns. As this area is getting considerably busier, I have asked Council to look at the possibility of creating a Zebra crossing.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
mcmahond@shalomcollege.com