From the Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the beginning of another exciting year at St Augustine’s College. I hope that you all have had a restful and enjoyable holiday and that you are eager and ready for an exciting year ahead. As we embark on this new journey together, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and pride in being the Principal of our beautiful College.

As we begin this school year, I would like to express my commitment to working closely with all members of the College community to ensure that our students receive the best education possible. Whether it be through academic programs, extracurricular activities, or spiritual development, I am confident that we will provide our students with the tools they need to succeed and flourish.

I would like to welcome our Foundation families to St Augustine’s. It was wonderful to see your son/daughter at school with lots of excitement, smiles and oversized uniforms. I’m not sure who had the most tears… the children or parents! I hope your son/daughter has had a wonderful experience to date and wish you all a fantastic year. 

I also wish our Year 12 families every success this coming year.  As students embark on the final year of their high school journey, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication you have put into your son/daughter's education so far. This year will bring new challenges, but I have no doubt that working in partnership with students, parents and teachers will provide the strength and determination to overcome them. Best of luck to all of our Year 12 students for this exciting and transformative final year.

At our recent Opening Mass I encouraged all our students to be curious, passionate, reflective, creative and critical thinkers. To set high goals for themselves, don't be afraid to dream big, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve your aspirations. The only limits in life are the ones we set for ourselves. 

For my first newsletter article of the year, I would like to take a few moments to reflect on our St Augustine’s Values of Community, Learning for Life, Human Flourishing, Faithfulness and Partnerships. 

The St Augustine’s Community plays a vital role, providing a sense of belonging and support. To ensure a positive St Augustine’s Community, it is our responsibility to work together, encourage each other and to nurture and accept each other. To demonstrate kindness, compassion, respect and inclusivity and to bring alive our SOLE Framework of SELF, OTHERS, LEARNING and the Environment.

Learning for life is an ongoing process that has immense value for you personally and our community as a whole. In today's rapidly changing world, the ability to continuously learn and adapt is essential for growth. Learning for life develops our critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling us to approach challenges and obstacles with a sense of confidence and determination. It fosters creativity and innovation, leading to new ideas and solutions to the problems facing society. Learning for Life brings your dreams to life, gives you purpose, wisdom, opportunities and fun. 

Human flourishing refers to the idea that we all should have the opportunity to live fulfilling, meaningful and happy lives. It is about being your best, being valued and being empowered to reach your goals in life. It is where we find the light inside us and allow that light to shine for all to see. Our talents and abilities are identified, recognised and encouraged to inspire and uplift others.

Faithfulness is an essential aspect of our St Augustine’s College experience. It is not just about religion, but about forming and shaping your beliefs, values and morals. At St Augustine’s College, faith is integrated into every aspect of school life, providing us with a comprehensive education that emphasises the importance of your faith journey.

Through the Gospel Values, the Brigidine and Augustinian Charism, prayer and sacraments, we are encouraged to deepen the understanding of our Catholic identity and to develop a personal relationship with God, learning about the teachings of Jesus and the role of faith in shaping a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Finally, our College value of Partnerships. Partnerships are essential to the success of St Augustine’s, providing a supportive and collaborative learning environment, and offering opportunities for students to grow and develop in academic, spiritual and personal ways.

Partnerships between teachers, parents and students, form the foundation for a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Partnerships bring together our Learning and Teaching, our Wellbeing and our Catholic Identity frameworks to ensure the best opportunities for growth, guidance, equality and teamwork.  

So as we begin this new school year, let us embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and let us work together to make this the best year yet. I am confident that together we will achieve great things.

Welcome back!

Jay Sutton

Principal