Every now and again you receive an email that makes your heart sing. This week I received an email from a teacher at one of the schools with which we compete in various GSV sports. The email expressed thanks and appreciation for the conduct of our girls. 

The email started with this… 

“In the 28 years that I have been at Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School, I would like to express that I have never seen the amazing sportsmanship, respect, patience, and care given to our students on Thursday night.” 

The reason for the email was that Ivanhoe was short of players for a Hockey match against our girls. Further to this was all the girls from Ivanhoe were beginners. Our complete team had a majority of very experienced club players. After a brief conversation between our coaches and the girls, they decided that half of the club players would join the Ivanhoe team, so the two sides were relatively equal. 

“The St Catherine’s players were lovely and both teams finished with a score of 4-3. The players really enjoyed the hockey game, learning from each other, and working together as a team.” 

The Ivanhoe coach expressed her concerns prior to the game that a one-sided match would have resulted in a huge loss and put off her first-time Hockey players. 

“Instead, the girls came home loving the game and wanting to play and learn more. What a wonderful outcome!” 

The Ivanhoe coach concluded her email with the following: 

“Thank you to all your staff, players, and coaches, for making this such a positive experience and not a negative one. Sport is about so much more than just winning, and I saw this on Thursday night. To all at St Catherine’s from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU! “

This email makes me so proud to be a part of St Catherine’s.

Our girls have demonstrated the finest qualities in not just sportsmanship, but what it means to be people of good character. While we often celebrate our girls for their academic achievements and sporting excellence, what has taken place in this Hockey game is an example of exceptional character. This demonstration of character by our girls is a remarkable reflection of the Values we hold dearly at St Catherine’s. These are Integrity, Curiosity, Perseverance, Gratitude, and Empathy.  

Mark McCrindle is a social analyst and Principal of McCrindle a social research company. The firm’s most recent publication Education Trends Shaping the Future: The current and emerging trends driving change in K-12 Education identifies 10 trends driving change in our society. Number five in this paper is Character Formation, which McCrindle identifies as a greater focus on the development of soft and transferable skills that will position students of today to thrive and be better prepared for a changing workforce.  

Our students have demonstrated exceptional character in their behaviour this week. It would have been so easy for them to take the easy path and just play the Hockey game as planned. This would have resulted in a lopsided match which in all likelihood, would not have been enjoyable for either team. Instead, they chose a mature approach full of integrity. This is what I value most about our St Catherine’s community. It is about the way we treat each other. The way we care for each other. The way we work together and the way we think of others. This is what sets our School apart and it is what I love about being part of this School.  

Since reading that email from a grateful teacher, I have felt a sense of joy that will stay with me for some time. Well done girls. You are a credit to not only St Catherine’s but yourselves.