Whole School

Founder's Day 2020

Last Friday the College celebrated our Founder’s Day, a couple of months later than normal.  Like everything this year we had to make adjustments, but all in all it had much of the same feel as previous Founder’s Days. Our celebrations this year allowed for us to spend some quality time in our Homerooms and Junior School classes, sharing a sense of community and oneness, even while being separated and distanced.

Once Homeroom was done we settled in our classrooms to celebrate Mass live-streamed from the Chapel all around the College. We welcomed back Fr Ronald Maree (Class of 2010) who concelebrated Mass with Fr Jack and delivered an inspirational homily about the influence and lasting legacy of our founder, Blessed Edmund Rice, who clearly had the Spirit of the Lord come upon him as his strength and guide. We recognised the Christian Brothers for whom our Houses are named, we shared in communion across the campus and we celebrated our student voice as Anthony Biscotto (Year 12), Max Toniato (Year 9) and Francesco Mazza (Year 6) spoke of their understanding of our theme – Liberating Education seen through speaking with love through our truth and action – and our purpose. Ms Natalie Rocca and Mr Thomas Jubb sang ever so beautifully for us as they were accompanied by Bailey Yeates (Year 9) on the new Chapel organ.  Mass was as smooth as it could possibly be given the ‘unknown’ of live-stream.  Much thanks to all who were involved.

After an extended recess break we went back into our rooms and watched the pre-recorded concert created and produced by a team of Year 12 students. Boys from all year groups performed acts and Christian Migliorino and Anthony Biscotto hosted the ‘podcast’ connecting it all together. It shone a light on some student and teacher talent and shared a few jokes along the way.

The Concert led us into lunch around Breen Oval and we watched a large group of boys participate in the Annual Waterford Mile, ultimately being won by Joe Doran of Year 6.

We thank our wonderful parent volunteers who came in to pack the individual lunch packs for over 1500 people, as well as the staff and students who prepared so much for the day and ensured it would be as enjoyable a celebration as possible.  It was just that – a celebration of who we are thanks to the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice and all those who have followed in his path.  It was a Founder’s Day like no other; one to remember!

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity