The difference between greatness and mediocrity is the perception of failure

On 14 and 15 January, many students in the Upper Sixth discovered the outcome of their Oxbridge application. It was two days filled with emotional turmoil for those involved. Many lessons can be taken from the process that can be applied to all walks of life.

It takes great bravery to attempt something where the chance of failure is unquestionably high. This elicits the need as individuals and as a community to support the notion of ‘failure’ rather than shying away from tremendous opportunities due to fear. My favourite quotation from John C. Maxwell’s books is ‘fail forward’; he stated that the difference between greatness and mediocrity is the response and perception of failure. Go for that part in the school play, go for that starting position on the sports field, go for that top grade and so on as it is through striving to be our best and experiencing numerous setbacks along the way that we ultimately reach our potential.

This process of learning and growing through failure can of course take its toll emotionally at times. ‘Offers day’, as it is commonly referred to as, epitomises the Whitgift community we strive towards. Despite the understandable and deserved elation of those receiving offers, they demonstrated sensitivity, humility and support for those who were less fortunate helping them at a difficult time. It is this sense of community and collective kindness that allows us to grow and improve as both individuals and as a school. We celebrate together. We commiserate together. We grow together.

There is one more lesson which can be taken from the process. A very good friend of mine, on the day of being declined from his dream university, turned to me and said ‘the support from my friends on a day like today is much more important than any offer from any university’. This greatly resonated with me. It wasn’t said to trivialise the prestige of Oxbridge but instead to use failures as a means of putting things into perspective and allow us to realise how lucky we are for the things we currently have which, if prioritised correctly, will outlast any curveballs life throws at us.