"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. "I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." Michael Jordan, US basketball player
I have been thinking of these words over the break. Teachers, students and families return to Term 4 in the anticipation of a big term. Assessments, completing units of work, reports and taking home work from the year.
What does it mean for our students to succeed? Does it mean to get A grades in their report? Obtaining a prize at Celebration? Or does it mean that each student made plenty of mistakes as they challenged themselves to achieve new goals?
At Thomas Hassall, teachers want students to show determination in their learning. We hope that students set goals and then work hard to achieve them. A goal may involve academic learning, or social behaviours in the playground, or working with others in the classroom.
As we approach the busyness of the final term of 2020, please encourage your children to push themselves academically and socially. The way to true success is through displaying determination and by recognising the importance and value of making mistakes.
Ms Lisa Hansford
Director of Teaching and Learning