Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Mary’s School,

Well as I write this most people will be soaking in the realization that New Zealand are rugby world champions for the first time since 1987.

I listened with interest to the post match interviews and the one that I felt was the most illuminating was the one given by Brad Thorn, the man born in Mosgiel, who spent his primary years in Cromwell/Bannock Burn and then moved to Queensland where he became a Rugby League star.

A world champion with the Kangaroos and the winner of several premierships with the mighty Brisbane Broncos before changing codes and becoming an All Black, and a world Champion again. It’s a pity that he never became a Highlander.

Brad gave thanks on several occasions to God and expressed how fortunate he had been but also stated several times how, early on in his Career, he had not been able to make representative teams and he stressed that for all aspiring young athletes the crucial aspect is to keep trying, and work harder.

If you miss a team don’t quit, work harder, a selector or coach finds fault keep trying, you have a run of bad form don’t stop trying but rather work harder and believe in yourself.

Stephen Donald, a much maligned player, is a world champion because he hung in there and worked hard and believed in himself.

I am away at camp for most of this week with Room Seven.

Have a great week in what will be a very busy term.

Mike Brosnahan