Captains’ Corner | College Captain, Oliver Seawright

Like many other Terrace boys, my holiday breaks invariably become marathons of TV or YouTube. This time around, it was the Rugby World Cup that had me hooked. Every game and every try. Afternoons had me watching and re-watching the best highlights and nights had me tossing and turning over Australia’s Fly Half woes. 

But amid the fanfare of Japan’s competition and the great upsets of the last few weeks, I caught a news article – the perspective of legendary All Black number 10, Dan Carter. Now retired from the sport, Carter was asked about New Zealand’s status as the tournament’s outright favourite and was questioned about how they have reached that point. Carter, rather than speaking about the coaching, the training or the unbelievable talent of his compatriots, spoke about the legacy of the All Blacks. He mentioned Tana Umaga and Richie McCaw; men who, in his opinion, had shaped a winning environment and a team culture that would make success inevitable. 

My first thought after reading this was about Terrace’s 1st V Basketball team who, at the end of last term, brought back a seemingly insurmountable margin to claim victory over Ipswich Grammar, and in doing so, a GPS premiership. In much the same way as the All Blacks, I believe that attitude and culture played a more significant role in that game than the skills of individuals. But Carter’s ideas about the All Blacks can be used for more than just sport. 

Why is it that year after year, Terrace performs academically? How is it that our Music program is among the most successful in the country? 

Contrary to a belief that seems popular enough to be taken as fact, there is no magic wand in Terrace’s academic department. As Mrs Quinn said, “the magic is in the team”. Like the All Blacks, the hard work is put in and there is a method to the madness that is the OP and ATAR systems. However, it is the culture at the College that drags us over the line. 

I often hear the question, “will Terrace results suffer once the ATAR system is implemented?”.  Whilst obviously having an understanding of the system is helpful, all that is changing is the system. The culture of work ethic and collaboration – the driving factor behind achievement – will remain unchanged. To me, it makes almost no difference what the system is. Hypothetically, if New Zealand could refocus their nation’s passion for rugby to soccer – their entire culture, history and sense of pride – I do not doubt that they would be among the world’s best.