Now and Then
‘We stepped into the glass sound-proof observer’s bench, looking down onto the light, dreamy green room: The House of Representatives.’
A reflection by Dylan Chalwell in 2003, then in Year 6 at St Andrew’s. Dylan is now graduating from Senior College.
The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu somehow managed to echo the beating hearts of our school when he penned the phrase ‘the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step’. Last week at St Andrew’s was a momentous one. It was Year 12’s last. For over 40 boys however, the week marked not only the conclusion to their high school experience, but the end of a journey begun long ago, when they first stepped into the classrooms of St Andrew’s Junior School. Amongst the many farewell celebrations for the Valedictory grade, the traditional acknowledgement of the group of students who commenced in Year 3 (before St Andrew’s offered a K-2 program or complete coeducation) and continued at the School until Year 12 plays a special part. From the 2000 Olympics, to the School’s 120th Anniversary, to the visit of Queen Elizabeth, to the opening of Gawura in 2006; this group of boys have witnessed landmark changes in their School and nation.
Last week these momentary snippets in time culminated into one moment, as the boys were thanked by the Junior School in an intimate Cathedral Gathering. A flock of excited Kindergarten students bravely raised their voices in unison in a performance item, whilst montages of photos, showing the progression of each boy throughout the School, appeared on the Cathedral screens. The traditional rite of passage was concluded with a presentation of gifts by the younger students to those graduating, but not before the entire Junior student body turned wide-eyed to face Year 12 and sing them the final verse of a hymn.
The interconnectedness of students between year groups as seemingly disparate as Kindergarten and Year 12 is an integral quality of St Andrew’s, a true community not easily emulated. It is special moments like this that will not quickly be erased from either the memories of those who continue their ‘thousand mile’ journeys, or those embark upon new journeys afresh.
