Our graduate aim this term has been ‘Passionate and Purposeful Learner’.
I spoke with Senior School students in morning musters this week about a few people that came to mind on these topics. Malcolm Gladwell is attributed with coming up with the 10,000 hour theory which says that anyone can become an expert if they simply devote 10,000 hours towards the skill they are trying to master. Mr Whelan, in response to a comment I made about his golf swing, broke down what 10,000 hours looks like to the group. If he spent 2 hours every weekday for 50 weeks of the year, then he has banked 500 hours, so if he does that for 20 years, then he should be an expert! Or if he spent 4 hours a day, then it would only take 10 years. For musicians or athletes or teachers or electricians, we thought that sounded pretty reasonable. What do you think?
I wondered aloud with the students whether it really is that simple. Is being passionate and purposeful also necessary to be partnered with 10,000 hours of practice?
Who do you think of when you hear the word passionate? I mentioned Wildlife Warrior Steve Irwin, who many of the students remembered from their childhood. Steve was a clear example of how being passionate and purposeful inspires a response in others and can change the world. I also spoke of some students I had taught at my previous school, who were extremely passionate about their music. They would spend countless hours on weeknights and weekends putting together songs and music videos. One of them in particular, a young man named Michael, was determined that this was what he wanted to do with his life. His passion was contagious and the group went on to achieve international renown. Maybe you have heard of the boys from 5 Seconds of Summer?
My point to our young people was to find their passion and pursue it with purpose. You have, no doubt, had countless discussions with your children about this area also. The College is committed to opening up the Graduate Aims regularly with students through classroom activities, assemblies, chapels, camps, excursions and sporting activities. The Graduate Aims are a list of attributes that we would like all students at Thomas Hassall to embody. Do you think we have the right attributes on the list? Would a student be ready to take on the world and navigate their life post-school if these 12 areas made up their character? I will list them below and if you have any feedback or opinions about them, I would love to hear from you. dbutler@thac.nsw.edu.au
