A few years ago, I bumped into a former student whom I had taught during my years in the classroom. We had a lovely conversation, and, at a certain point, he told me that I was the best teacher he had ever had. When I asked why he thought this, he simply replied; “because you believed in me”.
This was a profound moment for me, as it affirmed my choice to pursue a career in education. Great relationships are a core part of a great education, and as educators we have power in our belief in the goodness and capacity of each student. We often have the joy of seeing the positive impact of our work daily, weekly, and year on year, but sometimes the impact is not recognised until some decades later.
Our School Values describe some of the personal attributes we try to instil in all students during their journey with us, and for their lives beyond. Respect, compassion, and integrity are just a few. However, I believe that underpinning all of these is the need for confidence, mixed with just the right amount of humility.
Confidence is not about being the loudest voice or believing that your view is the one that matters most. It is about having the courage and capacity to speak, challenge, and present new ideas in an appropriate way at the appropriate time.
It is about accepting that we can respectfully discuss and agree to disagree. It also means understanding that everyone makes mistakes, but the trick is to learn from them, not repeat them nor be defeated by them. And it is about being ready and able to stand up for what you believe in, to ask for help when you need it, and to respond positively when situations don’t go the way they were planned.
The confidence-building opportunities our students have outside the classroom equally contribute to their holistic education. Whether they are performing in a production, playing in an orchestra, or speaking at the rostrum, we work with students from their earliest days at the School to help them overcome any butterflies, understand that everyone has something to offer, and not to be dissuaded if the wrong word is said or the wrong note is played.
I am very proud of the performing arts program we offer at Melbourne Grammar School. While we celebrate those Old Melburnians who are world class actors, singers, and musicians, we also recognise that, for many others, it will be what they learnt and the confidence they gained on the stages of the Old Melburnians War Memorial Hall and Alfred Felton Hall.
Being part of a sporting team also builds confidence and humility. It does not matter what sport it is, or if it is the Firsts or the Year 7Cs, as learning to be a part of a team, to win and lose graciously and play within the rules, are great life lessons. Sometimes the opposition will be far better, stronger or taller, or they might even bend the rules. Sometimes you might think the umpire gave you a raw deal. Learning to be a successful team member is a critical quality not only for students’ engagement at school, but also for their future careers, community service, and their roles as parents and partners.
Our teachers are experts in developing each individual student’s confidence. From a quiet word of encouragement, to acknowledgement of a job well done, to showing belief in the student; their daily interactions have a meaningful impact for years to come.
At the end of my conversation with the former student I asked him; “what do you do now?” He replied; “I’m a teacher”. What a proud and beautiful way to conclude our exchange.
Philip Grutzner
Headmaster
