From the Executive

Time can sometimes be our enemy. It goes so fast! The year is almost at a close and students in the senior school have completed their final examinations. Their comprehension of academics throughout the semester for some will be tested. All we can ask of these young men is to do their best. 

There have been many memorable achievements accomplished during the semester that have led to remarkable changes for the entire Mazenod community. I am extremely grateful to the Year 12 executive leadership group who have left a legacy embedded in genuine support for the school community. Nathanial Louey, Jacob Luu, Daniel Grano, Noah Beck, Ashen Perera, and Jason Fernandez, have gone beyond all expectations to lead the young men at Mazenod. From writing heart-stopping speeches, organising fund raising events to promote mental health, creating a blue tree to help spark difficult conversations amongst friends, and leading the charge with subject selection by creating the first Mazenod College Subject Expo. These young men left nothing undared and took their leadership role to a level that truly accomplished real work for our students. Every idea we shared they never failed to say, “yes Mrs Bourne we can do it.” For this, I am eternally grateful.

Saying goodbye is never easy and watching the Class of 2022 develop into mature young men has been a pleasure. Surviving two years of a pandemic and managing to return to school, resilient and dedicated to learning, has been an achievement these young people can be proud of. To watch them develop into young men who have heart, a sense of compassion for humanity and forgiveness, but most of all, a bond that will unite them their entire life. 

“Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve”

A message from Nathanial Louey, Noah Beck, Daniel Grano, Jacob Luu, Jason Fernandes, and Ashen Perera

Each year, Year 12 students are presented with this challenge, called to give back to a college community that has played a pivotal role in their lives for the past six years.

As a leadership group, it has been our great joy to be of service to Mazenod. Through our leadership, we have endeavoured to draw the community together after two years of COVID monotony, drawing upon the words of St Eugene de Mazenod “we have but one heart, one soul.”

This year, we have run many initiatives that we hope will only continue to develop in the future. Mazenod’s first-ever student-led subject selection forum saw Year 12 students provide much-appreciated advice to younger students, not only providing clarity for subject selection but also helping bridge the gap between year levels. In recognition of the fact that mental health is an issue that can only meaningfully be addressed as a united community, the entire school was invited to partake in the Blue Tree Project. Through painting a blue handprint on a tree in our Quadrangle, students committed to being an advocate for mental wellbeing and breaking down the stigmas surrounding this issue. Such a project complemented other initiatives our leadership group established to promote positive mental wellbeing, such as extending RUOK Day to an entire week.

Whilst other initiatives proved less successful (a special mention goes out to the twenty students who attended our College Life Kahoot), we could not be more grateful for the eager support of the entire College Community. The encouragement of students and staff has always been the greatest part of our leadership experience.

We wish Josh Wilton and the 2023 leadership team all the best and cannot wait to hear about the new initiatives they will bring to the College.

The Year 11 students have now begun their progress into Year 12 and the leadership executive has been selected. Joshua Wilton will lead the students in 2023 as the College Captain and he will be supported by Vice Captains Hebert Fischbacher, Gabriel Chen, Nikhil Perera, and Head Prefects Terron King and Michael Ebejer. I congratulate these students and look forward to collaborating with them in 2023.

The Year 10 students have been busy studying for their exams. Many are striving to gain marks that will begin their VCE journey. During the semester students participated in the Work Experience and a religious education retreat.

These activities were designed to bring inclusiveness and community and it is always a pleasure to watch our young men rise to the occasion. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents and students for their contributions during the year and wish all of you a happy and holy Christmas.

God Bless

Mrs Pier Bourne

Dean of Senior School