Reach for the stars

KATHRYN ALEXANDER, DEPUTY CHAIR OF COUNCIL

During my address to this year’s Valedictorians, I contemplated our College motto –the advice we consistently encourage our students to follow: ‘Be of courage. Reach for the stars’.

The gravitas of a Valedictory Ceremony pays great respect to the students who have completed their secondary schooling, and the many individuals who have helped them achieve this milestone – it is a time of great community celebration.

As we joined together to sing our College song, I considered the poignancy of its words. The chorus resonates with the words “Show me the Way to the Stars” – a reference to the College’s motto. Adopted in 1861, the words continue to be as relevant today as they were 163 years ago; Macte nova virtute…sic itur ad astra.

Blessing on your new bravery …this is the way to the stars.

The words are intended to inspire, energise, and suggest the promise of something exceptional. Their wisdom is of value throughout life – far beyond our students’ years at the College. Since ancient times, stars have been considered beacons that guide us, they are light in the darkness, super and supernatural.

And they are prolific.

According to Google, NASA states there could be anywhere between 100 and 400 billion stars in the galaxy. This conjures a beautiful celestial image – but if the star is our destination or destiny, how will our young people, in that very crowded sky, know which star shines brightest for each of them?

Sometimes, the direction to a person’s chosen star is clear – it has been paved by others via precedent and example.

Sometimes, it requires further exploration, and the path is more difficult. And sometimes, the galaxy is so overcrowded that the destination is obscured, and seems impossible to reach.

At such times, we must use our intelligence, we must help one another find a way and we must be courageous by moving forward into the unknown.

The College has cemented strong foundations from which our students can launch. They have the privilege of a liberal education – something that should never be taken for granted.

Having endured the disruption of the COVID years, our senior students already understand that their journey to their star may not be linear. They have lived experiences of life’s surprises and detours. They have found strength and perseverance in adversity; they have demonstrated courage; they understand the value of seeking help from others and have learned lessons that will be enduring.

In much the same way we encourage our students to ‘be of courage’ and ‘reach for the stars’, the College Council, too, must also navigate a way forward.

Council is charged with the responsibility of governing not only the status quo, but also with planning for the future needs of the College.

Pre-empting this future is not without its challenges.

We live in a time undergoing a great paradigm shift. The world is in a state of upheaval – political, social, cultural, environmental, economic and technological change is happening at a seemingly unprecedented rate. With this comes great uncertainty. We are committed to preparing our students for the future – yet the future is unpredictable.

In 2024 The Geelong College Council adopted a new Strategic Plan: 20242029, a map to navigate our way forward. It is a culmination of several years of collaborative work that drew upon the opinions, expertise and experience of our community – including the College Council and Executive, teaching and non-teaching staff, parents, students and the College community.

Its implementation has already resulted in some exciting decisions –such as the recent acquisition of 32 hectares of land at Merrawarp Road, Stonehaven.

This purchase provides exciting opportunities to enrich and extend the curriculum well into the future. It is a site suited to immersive experiences in the study of outdoor education, environmental studies, geography, cultural studies, and potentially agricultural studies.

Underpinning the Strategic Plan is our collective ambition.

It takes courage, commitment and community support to realise the vision of a major facility such as the newly opened Belerren Sports and Wellbeing Centre on the Senior School campus. The College Council acknowledges the enormous efforts of all those whose involvement made the project possible. Their contributions have ensured a positive legacy for future generations of students and the broader Geelong community.

With the Strategic Plan as our guide, we will continue to plan ahead, providing more immersive learning experiences and improved facilities.

Each decision we make supports our current students, as well as those yet to come, providing them with the skills to survive and thrive in this world of accelerated change. To reach for the stars.

There are many complex scientific definitions that describe the physics of a star. One definition especially resonates – Britannica’s description of the star as “a self-luminous celestial body that shines from its internal energy sources”.

This is a literal yet beautifully evocative definition. The notion that a star is self-luminous suggests that we, as individuals or as an entity can generate our own energy to shine.

I suggest the way to the stars comes from within us and through the journey we become one of those 400 billion stars that help illuminate the world.

On behalf of Council, I take this opportunity to thank Dr Miller and all Executive, teaching and non-teaching staff for their commitment and dedication. I also thank our parent and the broader College community who contribute so greatly to College life. Your support is invaluable.

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful, safe festive season.