From the Principal
We are well and truly into the rhythm of the term at the end of Week 4. It’s at this time of the term that students start to sit or submit their first set of assessments across the year groups. Following marking, staff will start to deliver their feedback to the students, commending areas of success and targeting areas for improvement. At home, parents can certainly assist by talking with their sons about their progress, monitoring homework time and assisting with support for revision.
Results will appear on SEQTA for parents to view and I always believe that, as adults, we can lead the conversation with the boys about how they think they are progressing. Some effective techniques include open ended questions like What were some successes in the assessment? What helped you reach this success in this area? What might help in the future to grow your success? Feeding back and reflection are important ingredients for feeding forward and mastery.
Parent Association – Parent Welcome Sundowner
Please consider attending the opening social function of the College year which is sponsored by the Parent Association. It is a relaxed evening and an opportunity to build our community, especially welcoming new Year 7 parents and parents joining in other year groups. Incoming Principal, Mr Simon Harvey will also be joining us, so it is an opportunity to say ‘hello’ and welcome Simon.
A reminder that this is an adult event and not for students and children. Please RSVP by Wednesday 8 March so that we can cater for the evening.
House Swimming Carnivals
This week we have conducted the House Swimming carnivals which mark the opening event of the year for the Mazenod Trophy. The students demonstrated a great sense of House spirit as they competed for the Fr Kevin Davine Trophy. Fr Davine was Rector (Principal) of the College in 2002-2004 and one of the early pioneer Oblates in the College’s opening years. Congratulations to Gerard, the winning House. Thank you to Mr Tim Grabski, Head of Health and Physical Education, his team, all staff involved and the families who attended in support.
Year 7 Camp
Congratulations to the boys of Year 7 who ventured to Year 7 Camp last week. It is a significant achievement to head off to camp after only two weeks at high school and navigate a foreign venue with a whole new group of fellow students. The experience will certainly be with them for a long time and feature in the young gentlemen’s Year 12 2028 reflections as they finish their Mazenod Journey. Thank you to the staff who gave their time to attend.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday we observed the beginning of Lent through Ash Wednesday Mass and distribution of ashes. There was an incredible attendance of Year 11 students at the before school Mass for Ash Wednesday and I would like to acknowledge the year group’s great sense of spirit and observance.
Year 9 - The Rite Journey
The highly successful Rite Journey program has begun and last week five separate ceremonies of Calling and Departure were celebrated at Lesmurdie Falls. I wish all Year 9 students the best as they undertake this incredibly powerful formation program in the Mazenod Journey. Thank you to our new Head of Year 9, Mr Sam Dawson and his TRJ team of Mr Mike King, Mr Matt Alexander, Mr Rhys Shore, Mr Dan Beros and Mr Michael Ellul. As is customary, the ceremony ends with a prayer written by General Douglas MacArthur who prayed this wish for his sons:
Build me a son O Lord, who will be strong enough to know he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid.
Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, but never forget the past.
Mid-Term Break
It is hard to believe I am sending a reminder that next week is our mid-term break. Classes finish at 3:15pm on Thursday 2 March and recommence on Tuesday 7 March. For our Boarding students and families, this is an opportunity to spend time together after a period away from home. I wish everyone a restful Labour Day long weekend.
“I looked for happiness outside of God and, to my sorrow, looked there for too long.”
- Eugene de Mazenod
Andrew Watson
Principal