The Spirit of Creation in the arts
(The opening address by Head Teacher John Boyce)
Have you ever had the experience when something happens that tightens your diaphragm, closes your throat so that you can barely speak, and brings tears to your eyes?
When I look back at those moments in my life the flashes that have moved me have always been moments when I am experiencing beauty or something close to perfection.
Sometimes it is a moment of natural beauty – something not ordinary – something extra-ordinary.
It might be one of those perfect seconds when everything feels right:
- when a backline move works to perfection,
- a gymnastics routine is so good that it appears to be in slow motion,
- when a baby smiles or walks for the first time,
- or it might be a moment of artistic expression.
And the important instants in our lives also seem to be governed by emotion – birth and death, love and loss, getting or losing a job we really wanted.
Throughout the ages, people have experienced those moments of beauty – and been affected by them. The Romantic poet John Keats wrote that … Beauty is truth, truth beauty,- that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.
He is saying that there is a real honesty in moments that move us – and in our response – and perhaps there is an honesty that is not always present at other times when our brains govern our perception and response to what we see and hear.
Eight years ago our first dance/drama teacher Rebecca Reid, our Head of Arts Rebecca Monopoli, Arts coordinator Nicky Sowry, Head of RE Mrs Boyce and I sat down to plan our first arts festival – something we hoped would give students the chance to be extra-ordinary and to see extra-ordinary events away from the routine of everyday school life. Our theme for 2002 reinforced that ideal: You are God’s work of art.
I thought we would end up with singing and music, dance and drama and speeches. But from that very first year we were stretching the boundaries: our Vinnies were looking for a fund-raiser and RAW (Recycled Art that is Wearable) became part of the arts festival.
Since then Mahi Toi has found new forms of creativity every year. Matua Simon Pimm came up with a title that fitted with the new Catholic school and our goal of being extraordinary: Te Wairua (the spirit of creation) o nga Mahi Toi (in the Arts).
We were to find other “wow!” instants in our sport, service, arts events and Journey – but Mahi Toi is still the main way we help you to find moments of beauty and wonder – moments beyond the ordinary.
That can only happen when a student takes a risk and gives us their very best performance – and that will only happen with a knowledgeable and supportive audience. The Arts are always a partnership between performer and audience.
For the next two days you are all partners in creativity and risk-taking. And if each one of us plays our part, we will all have moments where we will be amazed, moments of “where did that come from?” moments when a seemingly ordinary kid you thought you knew well does something wonderful.
For organising this event – thank you to the Arts faculty – and special thanks to the team of Rachelle Tomlin, Dan Moon, Kyle Proffit and Rosemary Dammerhan who have been here till midnight for the last few days. A big thank you to them: don’t let them down.
But don’t short-change yourself either: have a great and memorable Mahi Toi.
