Have you been watching any of the SpaceX mission coverage lately? Perhaps you got up in the early hours of last Sunday morning to witness the Falcon 9 rocket launch, or saw some highlights of the crew docking with the International Space Station. It was certainly a significant moment for the USA as being the first time private enterprise has been responsible for sending humans to space. According to Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, they are heading to the Moon, Mars and beyond in the years ahead. What a mission statement! It’s amazing what you can do with a couple billion dollars and a great idea!
My own boys, particularly my eldest have been interested in rocketry for some time. From building models out of cardboard and plastics, to experimenting with a range of fuel types (that is another story….), the journey from materials to something in full flight is pretty amazing to watch. The thing I love about rockets and space, is seeing just what is possible when people set their mind to incredibly complex tasks. There is no environment more unforgiving than space, and as such there is no room for error.
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley’s trip into space last week was the result of thousands of people working towards a common goal. They may have been the only two people visible during the SpaceX launch, however they were only a very small part of a much broader team. Although I’m sure they were probably the most nervous as being the only ones strapped on top of thousands of pounds of rocket fuel! Wherever you stand with Elon Musk, space exploration or toy rockets, the laws of teamwork and a shared vision are universal.
We may not be a multi billion dollar enterprise, but we are a place where we all commit to a powerful shared vision. Each student is unique, valuable and here for a purpose. Our role is to partner with you to educate and equip our young people to go from this place and make an amazing impact on our world. In every lesson, assembly, carnival, excursion and conversation, this is the underlying tone that emerges. We are at PCS for our students; to see them succeed however that looks. What a mission.
Bring on the rest of 2020, bring on a PCS rocket program, and let’s show the Parkes community what PCS is capable of as we work together for the benefit of our students.
Have a great week everyone.
Glen