One of the greatest pleasures for me in coming to SMC has been rejoining a rowing programme, granted, as an enthusiastic supporter not a participant…

Many of you will know that I rowed at a national level in my youth, and I certainly do not miss the early mornings, the dryland work, especially running stairs which seemed to be the preferred training torture of my time, or that wall of lactic acid and pain required to push through the 6 min mark of a 2km erg session.

But I do reminisce fondly on many aspects of rowing life, a strong, well-balanced physique, the mental toughness, the emotional bonds with my fellow rowers, and the fact that we could outlast any other athletes on the dance floor.

As I’ve got older I’ve come to realise more of the lifelong gifts that rowing afforded me, and ones that align so beautifully with our shared vision of empowering girls to learn, live and lead.

While at SMC, I hope each girl discovers and embraces her gifts, that she comes to know herself for who she is, and plays to those strengths to set herself up on a path to success, whatever that looks like for her.

But this cannot be achieved alone, the world’s to do list will not be solved by individuals, nor from a homogeneous group, a prosperous future will require insights from a variety of perspectives, a collection of skills and attitudes, it will be important for our girls to recognise and celebrate a diversity of opinion while being confident in their own.

Perhaps this is a paradox that will prove the most tricky to navigate as our girls step out into the world. Believing in yourself, being self-reliant, demonstrating strong personal fortitude, holding true to your individuality, but at the same time being prepared to compromise and collaborate, being open to the ideas and opinions of others, accepting others as they are and realising the powerful potential of working together.

This, to me, is where the value of being involved in one of the many co-curricular pursuits at SMC is most prescient for it lays the groundwork, possibly subconsciously, for our girls to adopt these complementary mindsets.

To be a competitive athlete or a performing artist demands titanic willpower, self-belief, immunity to frustration, resilience and self-motivation, for there are plenty more opportunities for suffering than for glory…

But to be part of a team, a cast, an orchestra, a troupe or a crew also demands an abandonment of self. To realise the perfect synchronicity of a successful outcome requires an awareness of the part each member plays in the whole, adjustments will need to be made to the needs and capabilities of others, acknowledging and accepting the necessary blend of personalities, someone to lead the charge, someone to hold something in reserve, big personalities and the strength of the introverts - it’s a complex feat to bring that all together, but the rewards are extraordinary in their school years and in life.

So, my thanks to all involved in supporting our girls in their chosen pursuits this term at SMC. We may never realise the influence these opportunities have had on our girls, but it will have been a positive one, of that I am certain.

May you all enjoy time with family over the Easter break, and may you return safely and energised to SMC for Term 2.