Showtime

The culmination of a monumental amount of effort, from students and staff - tonight was the big show.

It was magical, inspiring, toe-tapping, hand clapping, can't sit still because you want to dance and sing, energetic, awesome and joyful. The students from the 4 schools, ours, Loreto, and the two schools from Omsk, came together to put on a really slick spectacular for us.

They received a standing ovation - it couldn't have been more deserved.

As the week has progressed, the students have moved from their own individual groups, based upon school and language, to being integrated, having completely broken down the barriers that might have stood between them. Friendships have been forged and camaraderie has been developed.

No doubt, it will be a night that they will remember well into their adult years.

I have been utterly priviliged this week to have been allowed to access this with no boundaries - last night I uploaded 700 images to a well known supermarket's photo printing service - they were collected at 11am. By 2pm today, the most spectacular display had been created by our support staff that captured the energy of the rehearsals and performances from the first half of the week.

Following tonight's show, I have whittled 900 down to 500. In reality, there'll be another 200 to be printed of the show.

I can't pick a best bit from the night, but I can tell you that 56 students performing gospel songs with absolute gusto was an impressive start, setting the bar high - nobody fell beneath it.

Awesome people - youngsters and colleagues, from my own school and our visitors - it's been a blast and an another reminder of what's important in this thing we call life.

Thank you.