SCHOOL should not be about remembering dates and facts, but hearing the “ping” of something that sparks passion and interest, author, newspaper columnist and former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons believes.
The most published non-fiction Australian author of the past 10 years, FitzSimons urged students at The Armidale School’s annual speech day to take advantage of the opportunities offered to them during their time at school.
He said two of his great passions were ignited during his own schooling at Knox Grammar.
“In Year 7 they asked for volunteers for debating, and a friend and I put our hands up and did it for the next five years,” FitzSimons said.
“We were pretty hopeless early on but improved a lot – I now do about 100 speeches a year, while (my friend) is a Senior Counsel,” he told staff and students.
The former Wallaby said he didn’t take well to rugby early on, but good coaches and teammates helped him find a passion for it.
Similarly, an interest in history began when his teacher brought a pivotal event to life, he said.
“For much of the time in his class I used to count the bricks on the wall from bottom to the top – and then he started speaking about the Eureka Stockade,” FitzSimmons said.
Most importantly he urged students to devour the opportunities they had been given, in order they find their own passions.
“To quote a line, ’suck the juice from the marrow of life until it runs down your chin’,” he said.
“Resist the temptation of inertia. It won’t all be plain sailing, but take the fabulous opportunities offered to you, and go hard for it.”
Outgoing senior prefect Darcy James reinforced the message, and told boys to stay true to themselves.
