Laureate Address: Learning from Mistakes
Luke Tsavdaridis, Blackfriars' 2025 Dux, delivered his Laureate Address, encouraging students to accept and learn from their mistakes. He used the analogy of a pen versus a pencil to illustrate this point.
The Pen vs. Pencil Analogy
Tsavdaridis noted that pencils allow for easy erasure of errors, potentially leading to mistakes being dismissed as "careless." In contrast, writing with a pen requires crossing out errors, making them visible.
He emphasized that in life, mistakes cannot be erased but rather built upon, a process that requires acknowledging their existence.
The Perseverance of Shuji Nakamura
To further illustrate the importance of perseverance and learning from failure, Tsavdaridis referenced Shuji Nakamura, the inventor of the blue LED. Nakamura faced over five years of failed experiments and challenges with materials before successfully creating the first high-brightness blue LED in 1993, which subsequently transformed the lighting and electronics industries.
Tsavdaridis concluded this point by advising students not to be ashamed of their mistakes but to understand them.
Essential Advice for the Class of 2026
Tsavdaridis, who plans to study medicine after a gap year in 2026, also provided valuable guidance for the upcoming Class of 2026:
- Self-care: Prioritize well-being and communicate challenges with trusted individuals.
- Rest: Recognize that adequate sleep can be a superior study method.
- Balance: Maintain hobbies, sports, and time with friends and family, as life balance skills gained in Year 12 will have a lasting impact.
- Independent Thought: Encourage forging unique pathways, as demonstrated by historically successful individuals.
The Laureate Assembly annually recognizes graduates with ATARs of 90 or above, scholarship recipients, and other award winners.