Imagine all the creative and useful things that could be done with that time, consider the moments of joy with your loved ones that is stolen by the worry.
My dad lived with Parkinson’s disease for over 15 years, he didn’t die from it, but it cruelly affected his capacity to live life as he always had and thought he should. He taught me many things, but the greatest was this: never allow what you cannot control to ruin what you can.
Dad was an active, outdoorsy, man who loved to work as a carpenter, and when he played it was in the ocean fishing or snorkelling. He was a quiet but social man with all the charm of a genuine English gentleman, ladies and men alike loved Ray.
Over time, though, everything he loved to do became a struggle, so much so it would have stopped a lesser man. Not dad, he still made things in his workshop, they were not perfect like his earlier works – let’s be honest, they were often ugly - but they functioned and spoke of his love. He still fished, but could take 30 minutes or more to tie a hook on a line. When he got snacks at night he would sit on a stool in front the open fridge and eat them there as when he tried to walk while carrying things he was prone to drop them, he didn’t want to cause a mess for my mum.
He and mum sought cures everywhere: medicine, natural therapies and healing churches. While they never stopped praying and hoping there came a time when they realised that the pressure of pursuing a cure was causing a price to daily life that simply was not worth it. They began to live by the philosophy “In acceptance lieth peace”. (Mum said it was a quote from the Bible, which I think was meant to give it authority. It is actually the title of a poem by Amy Carmichael, a Christian missionary to India).
From that day on the burdens lifted, even though the frustrations persisted. The lifting of the burdens allowed flowers of joy to grow, which in turn made the frustrations matter less. I dread to think what my dad’s final years would have been like had he been obsessed by the unfairness and cruelty of his fate. Instead, when I think of him in those years I see only his smile on his now palsied face, and laugh again at his silly jokes even though told through his weakened voice.
By 1997 dad’s voice was just a whisper and to walk and stay balanced was slow and laborious, yet he found peace in acceptance and was insistent in refusing to allow that which he could not control ruin what he could. He walked and fished and snorkelled, until his heart said: “it’s time”. Truly he died doing what he loved, and I believe his life is a parable worth applying for all of us. I know it is for me.
Last Wednesday marked the start of the competition with Intermediate and Senior Round 1. Despite the lack of an audience to perform to, two of our Year 8 Debating teams attained remarkable wins, and thus deserve particular congratulations for their strong re-entry to the debating world.
We entered these two teams of Year 8 students, listed below, in the competition’s Intermediate Division, despite such usually being recommended for Year 9 and 10 students. The aim was to extend these incredibly talented and enthusiastic young debaters by exposing them to the standard they will face in next year’s Intermediate A Division competition. But, exceeding our already-high expectations, both teams came out on top of Year 10 teams from the Queensland Academy and Trinity Lutheran respectively.
The topic was of an incredibly complex nature for Intermediate debaters, let alone those younger than most in the division, seeing the students argue over whether ‘We have an obligation to prioritise employment over the environment’.
We are all very much looking forward to watching these students’ very promising debating careers develop over the rest of the season and beyond.
Year 8 Intermediate Division Debaters:
Anna Thomas Penelope Deacon Hayeon Byun Elliot Bartley Emmeline Anthony Patrick Liu (absent from photo)
During this recent workshop we learnt an enormous amount of valuable information which is very significant to our assignment. Currently my Year 10 Business class is working on creating start-up businesses and learning the processes in doing so. Thomas targeted this area particularly.
In the workshop he talked to us about the importance in doing market research and the benefits it provides. Thomas introduced us to an amazing product called the value proposition canvas which many big businesses such as Uber use. This canvas gave us ways to reflect on our business ideas and have ways of fixing issues that may occur during the initial set up process.
Overall, the workshop was an overwhelming success and I think I can speak for everyone when I say that this session gave us multiple skills that will definitely help not only in this assignment but throughout our life.
First up we saw our seven year old friends, proudly wearing the Spartans Shirts with pride as they ran around the grass courts under the watchful eye of their coach April McMullen (Class of 2019).
Other early starters were our team, who are now veterans of the game having started their Netball journey last year, in the Under 7s'. Their proud coach Rylee Burns (Class of 2019) was pleasantly surprised at their skills and we even scored a few goals, which pleased the crowd.
These students in Years 3 and 4 were under the watchful eye of coach Andrea Harris who took to the courts with a few nerves. With the weather putting on its best show, the side came away pink cheeked and full of smiles.
Our Year 4s were next up and April swiftly moved from court to court to ensure they were fully prepared. It will be a tough year for these girls as they play full rules and full post heights against teams who have been together for a few years, it will be a huge learning curve and we know they are ready to step up.
team are another group of keen newcomers to the sport and we are not sure who was more excited, the girls or their parents, coach Rylee leading the way once more.
We also had some of our friends in Prep and Year 1 take part in the ‘net’ beginners sessions run by the association with Assistant coaches Lili Bannerman and Isabella Seymour volunteering with the skill sessions.
And then the ‘serious’ comp starts…. The Junior League.
The girls in Year 5 are under coach Lola who was a bit nervous as to how we would go in Division 2. The teams were neck and neck for the first three quarters and then pipped at the post in the last quarter. We saw loads of positives and a few things to work on!
Year 6, 7 and 8 girls coached by Rylee who was looking at this team to work out her best combinations. She produced a winning formula to get the first win of the season under her belt.
Years 7, 8 and 9 coached by Sheryl Burns who has done a lot of work with this squad and the work is paying off. They pulled off a massive win, setting their sights early on the grand final.
These girls (in Years 7 and 8, coached Andrea Richards) had to dig deep. They did not have any reserves and were playing in the heat of the midday sun. They started strong and kept their cool, showing superior fitness. They have also shown they are serious contenders for their grand final.
And the last game for the day ...
The team of Years 6 and 7 girls were short of players but thankfully two Year 6 girls Daisy and Noku were able to play (and have now joined the team). We started off with an early lead and despite the heat and a slight lack of match fitness, pulled off a win.
A massive thanks to all our coaches, umpires and team managers who contributed to the success of Saturday.
Type on the line above then press the Enter/Return key to submit a new search query