JUNIOR SCHOOL
‘ TWO ROADS DIVERGED IN A WOOD ’
MR TOM SAVILL HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
THE JOY OF TRANSITION
Having lived in Victoria for some time now , I am still surprised at how difficult it is for me to hear the word ‘ football ’ and need to think of a game played on a field more like a cricket ground , with a ball shaped a little like a rugby ball and with goals that are attributed to more than one scoring outcome . I consider myself in a period of transition when it comes to understanding the game of ‘ footy ’ or AFL .
Despite confusion around the name of the game , I do have many reference points from previous experience that have developed my appreciation for the sport , to navigate this period of transition . The athleticism of the players , the tactical nuances and the ever-changing rules share similarities with soccer , rugby union and cricket . I am learning to love the game and have become an impassioned Carlton supporter , the reasons for which I shall not share in this article .
We are constantly experiencing periods of transition in our lives – dare I reflect on moving in and out of lockdown as an example ? Moving through periods of transition is something we expect of the boys on a regular basis . Travelling from a state of limited understanding to a position of greater understanding is a daily challenge and the crux of learning . Wrestling with the process of transition is one of the key pillars to a good education and , as my journey to greater appreciation of Aussie Rules Football may indicate , there are many influences which impact the success of this endeavour for each individual .
As I write , 13-year-old Momiji Nishiya of Japan is celebrating her gold medal in the debut Olympic skateboarding event for women . Nishiya ’ s journey began when a skatepark was built in her hometown of Toyoma , and she hopes that her success will encourage the creation of more opportunity for young
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