BMG 2020 Grammarian Issue 1

5 The school houses many artworks across the school grounds. Beautiful images and sculptures carefully planned and composed by students and guided by their staff. These artworks represent student creativity, as well as commitment to a project, and desire to be challenged by a task and achieve success. These visuals throughout our school grounds remind us of what each individual is capable of achieving, with planning, effort and guidance. And we must honour this by paying attention to these specifics. Over the years, our school has been home to many species of bird. In the early years it was the nesting ground for the wedge-tailed eagle. This connection to our past is commemorated in a 5 and a half metre eagle that keeps a watchful eye across the Maddingley oval. Advancements in buildings and population means that the eagles no longer nest around the school grounds but, on occasion, they can be seen soaring over the Maddingley and Staughton Vale campuses. Sometimes we just have to look up to see the details. Paying attention to our school grounds can teach us a great deal about what matters to us and ensures our school ethos is embraced. In 2014 BMG established a Memorial Garden. It is here in the stillness that members of our community come to reflect and remember, acknowledging past sadness and sharing empathy with the families of those lost. We never forget the impact of these students or the tragedies of their passing and we honour them by paying attention to their memorial space and never overlooking its importance. Today, we welcome back many students from the graduating class of 2019. A shining light for the future and a wonderful reflection of endeavour and hard work. These students represent the core component of our school’s vision: an education for life. Each school day we all have an opportunity to embrace this. Consider the simplicity of how we can know something because we have paid attention to the details and those details have edged us closer to a future. A future like the one set out now for our graduating class. A future of amazing possibilities where the small things are never overlooked, because these details matter- we must just simply pay attention. American poet Mary Oliver once stated: “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” She also wisely spoke on instructions for living a life: simply pay attention, be astonished, tell about it. Today we have spent some time reflecting upon these very words. So look up, listen with intent, speak with meaningfulness and pay attention to the details as this is truly an education for life and that is truly living. Mrs Sarah Hunter