I just saw this on the news the other day. In a serene blue sky, a distant speck appears. Barley visible, it’s an object on the final stage of a return from the edge of space. It showcases the practical application of complex Mathematics, high end Physics and cutting-edge Chemistry.
It’s a Space X Super Heavy Rocket booster, designed to launch the next generation of astronauts into the great beyond. A precision landing system guided by a network of computers, sensors and gyroscopes, detects and measures changes in angular momentum and velocity. Gyroscopes talk to computers and the computers make split-second adjustments, and the whole thing stays stable as it plummets through the atmosphere.
Suddenly rocket engines roar to life powering what is basically a controlled explosion. The 33 Raptor 3 rocket engines acting in harmony, can throw out a combined 16 million lbs of thrust. Contrast that with the measly 280000lbs a fully loaded A380 needs to take off. High grade kerosene and liquid Oxygen react in the engines to produce knife of plasma, balancing gravitational pull, air resistance and propulsion in a delicate dance. Isaac Newton would be proud.
As it draws closer to the ground, distinctive control fins become visible, adjusting, creating subtle changes in air pressure and flow to guide the booster’s trajectory. A flip manoeuvre rotates and aligns the rocket for landing. Onboard processors deal with a constant stream of data, adjusting fins, firing thrusters and maintaining perfect placement. Standing on a pilar of fire the Super Heavy booster slows and nears a metal tower. Carefully mechanical arms grasp the 71-metre-long cylinder, keeping the rocket upright. The steam clears, the dust settles and the tower and booster stand silhouetted by the setting sun.
What was once Science Fiction, is now routine. You can see it on the news. This is, quite literally…Rocket Science.
You can watch this stuff in awe, struck by the complexity of big things, intricate projects, vanguard Science, and compare it to the simplicity of the things of every day; the unassuming, unsophisticated, routine things.
Trying a new recipe; it’s not Rocket Science. Booking a holiday on Air B & B; it’s not Rocket Science. Assembling a piece of Ikea flat pack furniture (I might get some push back here); it’s not Rocket Science. Changing a car tyre, learning to use a new smartphone, setting up a home Wi-Fi modem; it’s not Rocket Science.
Educating young men; it’s not Rocket Science. No, educating young men is not Rocket Science. Rocket Science is straight forward; there are causes and effects that follow rules, the rules of Mathematics and Physics and Chemistry. Plug in a set of vectors or coordinates or parameters, you will get set directions, known destinations and definite outcomes.
When it comes to raising and educating young men however, young men who are skilled, who are independent and self-motivated individuals; the complexity far surpasses any scientific endeavour. Young people aren’t derived from a set of rules; they are more than the sum of their experiences, the many multiplied moments of every day, the indivisible values of our community. It’s not Rocket Science. Every moment, every event, every relationship; the many encounters of an Eddies Education are what form the young person who leaves this place, our place, our house, on The Hill.
There’s a saying “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts”; Eddies Men ideally will be more than the outcome of a series of lessons and activities, school days and weekend happenings. They will be the product of these, yes, but there will be a pinch of nurturing from the community, a dab of support from mentors and a bucket load of caring from mums, dads, siblings, rellies and friends. There will always be the need to continuously adjust to the subtle and not so subtle changes of adolescence so our young men can remain stable, in the seemingly long fall to the firm landing ground of maturity.
From Year 7 to Year 12, we prepare our young men for life beyond school, a life of wise self-determination, where they are outwardly focused and independent of us. In this, we all have our part to play as the Eddies Team.
On Tuesday evening we rightly acknowledged our Eddies Men who’ve defined themselves and succeeded, academically, in co-curricular activities and in participation and service. I congratulate all the award recipients. Well done. Well done for taking the opportunity to become more.
Thank you to our College Captains, Brandon and Godwin and Harry and Jared for your leadership as College Captains; you have worked hard at creating a bright and clear vision for Eddies.
Thank you also to all Committee Leaders, House Captains and Year 12 Leaders for your contributions; you leave us a wonderful gift in your leadership and you have assembled a fine legacy.
Thanks to all staff in 2024 no matter their role. They have prepared and evaluated, adapted and adjusted, taught and mentored; they listened and advised and guided each time, adding intricacy and detail to develop Eddies Men who are more than the sum of their many individual experiences.
To parents and caregivers who are so much a part of our team; you know it’s not Rocket Science. Hormones and mood swings and monosyllabic communication aren’t governed by laws and rules. Thank you. Thank you for the partnership and support in this process where boundaries are pushed, sometimes beyond human understanding; your trust is valued.
The Eddies Team creates this place here at the top of The Hill, 16 Mary Street Woodend; St Edmund’s College, where creatively, physically, academically and spiritually our students have the chance to grow towards being all they can be.
Our Eddies Team is integral to their achievements. Unlike the predictable equations of Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry, human development is messy; influenced by countless variables, each young man a unique combination of strengths, challenges and aspirations.
It’s not Rocket Science, definitely not; Rocket Science is straightforward. This is about lessons and relationships, learning and playing; this is about putting together the support of a community, the love of a family and the commitment of a College. There’s the Team and there’s the Wolf Pack; there’s the Golden Rule; there’s being respectful and resilient and responsive and reflective.
It’s not Rocket Science? No: it’s not Rocket Science. Rocket Science is easy; this is more. Educating young people, now there’s a challenge; navigating the delicate dance of guiding and supporting, questioning and caring; a challenge we accept whole heartedly; a challenge to make sure that for our young men strong, kind and gentle all come together to become more than the sum of the parts, more than lessons and experiences and skills; to become young men who live simply and who make a difference; simply put, to become Eddies Men.
