A Message from the Headmaster
My Book of the Week this week is Charles Eisenstein’s didactic summary of his world view entitled The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible. It is a confronting read in which the author claims we are in a period of transition between the story of separation (which he refers to as the 'old story') and the 'story of interbeing' which requires a radical transformation in the way we view each other and the world. He believes, rather reassuringly, that we are well on our way to this new world order. I approached the book a little sceptically, not least because I find myself in the most privileged position of finding the world a rather beautiful place already, but I have certainly discovered a few gems that have resonated with me in surprising ways.
The book has felt especially relevant in recent times as it sits with me alongside the extraordinary achievements of our various musical ensembles and choirs who have been competing in the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, the largest eisteddfod in the southern hemisphere with over 50,000 participants. We once again received the coveted title of Best Overall School for bands/orchestras and were thrilled to also receive, I believe for the first time, Best Overall for our choirs. It is such a busy, frantic time for our Performing Arts staff, and we are so grateful to them for their tireless, selfless efforts on behalf of our students.
Music, Drama and Dance teach us about the value of self-discipline, the impact that focussed collaboration has on achieving quality outcomes, the joy that accompanies vibrant and confident creative expression and the capacity to face challenges and overcome them. Indeed, the Performing Arts offer such a powerful portal into that more beautiful world which is the subject of Eisenstein’s book. Many parents and staff who visit our various shows in the Nairn Theatre or the chapel talk to me afterwards about how particular pieces had moved them to tears and I remember when I was a young boy coming across my rather conservative, stiff-upper-lipped father in his study, sitting in his favourite chair, his eyes closed, listening to Faure’s Requiem with tears streaming down his face. He was not a religious man but there was clearly something in the music (perhaps the magnificent Pie Jesu which comprises the fourth movement) that reached into his very soul and laid it bare. I never asked him about it afterwards (it was not really the sort of thing one discussed) but I have always hoped they were tears of reconciliation rather than regret.
I suspect that many of us have particular pieces of music that elicit a powerful response from somewhere deep inside. As with those books that change our lives, I have always found something magical about the creativity required for composition. It always starts with an idea and a blank piece of paper (or perhaps these days, a blank screen). I am not particularly musical myself so can only imagine the notes beginning as a jumble in Faure’s head and then somehow beginning to transform into order and harmony. Of course the story does not end there. The notes themselves are dead on the page until a group of musicians get together to breathe life into them and that is when the magic happens. Music needs people to bring it to life and I can’t help but feel that we are just the same.
The magic we experience on a regular basis here at All Saints tends to linger in the memory. Different pieces will have resonated with each of us in different ways, but I feel so blessed to work in a school that values the Performing Arts, that places them at the very heart of our various endeavours. I feel blessed too that our Music Department abounds with passionate educators who elicit from their charges such commitment and excellence.
As another busy and successful term draws to a close it only remains for me to wish all our families a joyful and restful spring break and we look forward to seeing you all back at school for Term 4 on Tuesday 3 October.
Patrick S Wallas
Headmaster
