I received a lot of advice from friends and family before my wife and I married almost 20 years ago.
Mostly, the message was the same, “Just show up”.
Pretty simple. Pretty straight forward.
I’m not sure if people actually thought I wouldn’t show up to get married, but nonetheless I took the advice on board. We had a great day and I’m grateful someone gave my wife the same advice too.
Not that I knew it at the time, but that advice was to stay with me well into my professional and personal life. So many times, I’ve been glad that I’ve just shown up and often I’ve been relieved that others have shown up for me.
At IGS, we’re very lucky that our families and our boys often show up for one another. It’s part of the fabric of who we are. It’s our culture. We’re also very fortunate that we have staff and parents who do the same for the boys and each other. I can think of a few instances recently, when our boys have fronted up to support each other and the broader community.
At the recent IGS musical, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” it was pleasing to see our boys perform in front of many of their peers and teachers. As I sat in the middle of the audience on opening night, I thought how horrible it would be to perform if our boys, teachers, and families didn’t show up. All that hard work, perspiration, dedication, and diligence would be for nothing if the seats were bare. Part of the culture that the vast majority have helped build here at IGS is about showing up for one another.
At our Old Boys and Junior Spartan Football event held in April, more of the same was evident. Families, staff, Old Boys, and students showed up to support one another in fantastic numbers. The support for all teams in Football and Tennis was fantastic. Again, I found myself thinking how awful it would be to play in front of empty seats. When we talk about our culture here at IGS, the collective is responsible for engraining that mentality of support.
Perhaps the most significant show of support though, was on ANZAC Day this year, when our school community showed up en masse to march through Ipswich. On ANZAC Day, our IGS community showed up for one another and significantly, showed up for Old Boys and veterans who helped defend and protect our nation and our way of life. It was another example of how the IGS community has built and will continue to embrace a culture of being there for one another.
The easy option is for boys to find an excuse not to march on ANZAC Day or not to be there at a swimming carnival or Awards Night – we’re fortunate though, that the vast majority try to find a way to be present for each other no matter what the event or the occasion.
In the coming weeks and months, the IGS calendar is littered with events and occasions. Some, the boys will be chomping at the bit to attend, while they might find attendance at others more challenging. Exams might prove to be difficult, and attendance might be hard - while GPS sport might be enjoyable, but attendance is not a given. Regardless, I encourage parents and caregivers to provide very simple and straight forward advice.
Just. Show. Up.
Peter Christie
Dean of Students