Good morning students and staff. It is great to be here with you all today.
Acknowledgement to Country
I begin by respectfully acknowledging our indigenous Elders past, present and emerging, the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin nation. and remember that they have passed on their wisdom to us in various ways. Let us hold this in trust as we work and serve our communities.
Today I want to talk about something really important—the values that make Salesian College Chadstone such a special place: respect, belonging, and integrity. These aren’t just fancy words we hear from time to time; they’re the things that guide us in how we act and treat each other every day.
At Salesian College, we’re part of something bigger—the Salesian tradition. This tradition is all about living with kindness, learning with a purpose, and creating a community where everyone feels like they belong. Our school is committed to being a safe and fun place to learn, where you can pick up skills that will help you not just in assessments or exams, but in life. Whether it’s solving problems, working with others, or staying calm under pressure, these skills will give you a huge advantage when you leave school and start your next chapter.
STRENNA
Our 2024 Salesian Strenna, “The Dream that Makes You Dream”, reminds us that having a dream or a goal is more than just having something to work towards; it’s about having a vision that inspires and motivates us. It’s about believing in a future that we can create with our hard work and dedication. It’s this kind of dreaming that drives us to achieve great things and to support others in doing the same.
I want to share a couple of stories from the recent Paris Olympics that show how important these values are.
JEMIMA MONTAG
First, there’s Jemima Montag, who won bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in the Mixed Marathon Walk Relay and the Women’s 20km walk. After her win in the 20km walk, Jemima gave a speech that wasn’t just about celebrating her success.
Who is Jemima Montag? A Victorian who is Jewish, he parents had sporting backgrounds. Her paternal grandmother is a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp and Auschwitz death march. Despite significant training and competitions, Jemima is studying for a postgraduate medical degree and a Master of Public Health at medical school at the University of Melbourne. She also works at a company that delivers food to underprivileged families.
Jemima’s gratitude to her parents, family, coach and friends highlighted the relationships meant as much to her as the result. She talked about all the hard work, the ups and downs, and the people who supported her along the way. Jemima’s mindset was crucial to her success – her ability to stay present, focus on what she could control, and embrace the process rather than just the outcome was what truly set her apart. She didn’t just win because she was fast; she won because she respected the journey, felt like she belonged to a team, and always stayed true to who she was.
SAYA SAKAKIBARA
Similarly, we’re inspired by BMX rider and gold medallist Saya Sakakibara, who had to overcome some serious setbacks. In the Tokyo Olympics, Saya had a terrible crash that left her with a concussion and a long recovery ahead. It would’ve been easy for her to quit, but she didn’t. She kept pushing, kept believing in herself, and came back stronger than ever to win gold. Saya’s story shows us that no matter how tough things get, if you stick with it and believe in yourself, you can come out on top.
Saya Sakakibara embodies respect and integrity in her journey as an athlete. Despite facing significant setbacks, she demonstrated immense respect for her sport, competitors, and her own aspirations by persisting with determination. Her integrity is evident in how she approaches challenges—honestly acknowledging the difficulties she faces while staying true to her values and goals. Saya’s story is a powerful example of how respect for oneself and others, coupled with integrity, can lead to triumph even in the face of adversity.
Hands up if you have ever trained or competed in pole vault? It is an extremely difficult discipline that requires speed, power, strength, agility and technique. I know having competed in the event in school athletics.
MONDO DUPLANTIS
On August 5 I was captivated by Armand Mondo Duplantis, the pole vaulter who has captivated the world when he cleared the bar at 6.25 metres in front of 75,000 people in Stade de France. Every single person was on their feet that evening, most of whom were not Swedish, cheering him on to achieve the world record. At home we cheered as he sailed over the bar at this breathtaking height.
This moment shows us that people want to be inspired. They want to feel joy and hope, and they love to celebrate the success of others.
At just 24 years old, the Swedish pole vaulter is a world champion, Olympic champion and world record holder, all in just a few short years. His father is a former pole vaulter while his mother Helena is a former heptathlete and volleyball player with both very involved with his career. Whilst having talent and a supportive environment it is Mondo’s hard work and determination led him to break records – he has a strong focus to continually improve, and in doing so inspires and brings people together in a shared moment of pure happiness.
These stories are powerful because they reflect the values we live by at Salesian College. Respect is about treating others and ourselves with kindness. Belonging is about feeling connected and supported by those around us. And integrity is about being honest and doing what’s right, even when it’s tough.
Respect is also about how we treat our teachers. Our teachers are here to help us learn and achieve our best. They set expectations not to make things difficult, but because they believe in your potential. When we respect our teachers, respond positively to their expectations, and draw upon their expertise, we set ourselves up for success. Demonstrating positive learning behaviours—like paying attention, asking questions, and putting in the effort—shows that we’re serious about our education and committed to making the most of the learning opportunities we have.
Just like in sports, doing well in studies at school takes dedication and a strong work ethic. Our Year 12 students understand this better than anyone. They’re not just focused on their own success; they’re urging their peers to succeed as well. Through peer mentoring, supporting each other with work, and encouraging everyone to stay on track, they’re helping to create a hardworking, focused learning environment. When you work hard, you’re not just getting good grades—you’re building skills that will help you in everything you do whilst helping to improve your mates.
Leaving school with these skills gives you a big advantage. You’ll be ready to tackle whatever comes next, whether it’s further study, a job, or anything else you want to achieve. You’ll have the confidence to go after your goals and the ability to make a positive impact in the world.
So, as we move forward, let’s remember the stories of Jemima Montag, Saya Sakakibara, and Mondo Duplantis. They remind us that with respect, belonging, integrity, and hard work, we can overcome any challenge and achieve great things. And let’s keep the dream alive—the dream that makes us dream, pushes us forward, and inspires us to reach for the stars.
Thank you.