Vivite Fortes
To those who had received a traditionally “good” education before the Second World War, the motto “Vivite Fortes” would have been more familiar than it is to us to-day. It is a quotation from the Latin writer Horace, taken from his second book of Satires, which deals with the necessity of fighting social injustice and immoral behaviour. The phrase is grammatically unusual and defies direct translation. However, it has most famously been rendered as “live boldly”, “live courageously” or “live as brave men”.
The fact that our school was founded at the beginning of the War probably inspired the choice of a motto which exhorted courage in the face of adversity. As one translator put it; “let us live life courageously and show a firm front to every ill”. Other famous renditions have, however, put the emphasis on moral courage. “Vivite fortes” has been translated as “live undismayed” and “keep up your spirits”.
I have no doubt that Horace would have felt at home at Victoria Park High School. The passion for life and mutual support that permeates the V.P. family is a true example of living undismayed, in spite of the many problems in our broader society in general, and in education in particular. Our teachers and learners have embarked on the new FET curriculum with a positive attitude and courageous spirit, which is the only way to make a success of anything.
Horace was referring to social injustice when he first used his famous phrase. A perusal of this magazine will assure any reader that the learners at V.P. are making a very big difference in our local community. With the positive work being done by our many service organisations, there is hardly an area of society that remains untouched and unchallenged by our V.P. learners.
The challenge also goes out to our sports teams. With over forty teams competing competitively in leagues and competitions, all Victorians have been encouraged to develop and prove their daring and determined spirit on the field of play – an objective that would surely have earned the approval of the ancient Romans.
