From the Principal

Lest we forget

At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. On Remembrance Day, all Australians were encouraged to observe one minute’s silence to remember those who died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and armed conflicts. It was pleasing that our students participated so well in this year’s College Remembrance ceremony.

Ms De Faria, Assistant Deputy Principal year 12 and a Religious Education and History teacher, provided a poignant reminder of the devastation of World War 1:

‘In its time it was the most destructive conflict experienced by humanity. When it began in August 1914, few imagined the terrible toll it would have. Think about these numbers: 420,000 Australians served in that war, 213,000 became casualties. Of them, 60,000 died. 

For a nation with a population of just 4.5 million, this was a devastating toll for a small country. Yet they were a relative few. Around the world some 10 million military personnel died in what was then called the Great War.’

In times of war, the sacrifices of many have been extraordinary. At last week’s Secondary Assembly, I related the story of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. He was a Polish Priest who sacrificed his life so others could live during World War 2. There is a strong John XXIII College connection to Kolbe College in Rockingham with Miss Hetherington (a former student) and Miss Roberts and Mr Quartermaine being former teachers.

Imprisoned in a Concentration Camp, Kolbe supported other prisoners as best he could during the war. After a prisoner escaped, the German soldiers randomly selected 10 prisoners to be starved to death as a deterrent for other escapes. One of the selected prisoners, cried out that ‘he needed to support his wife and children’. Bravely, Maximilian Kolbe offered to take his place. The surviving prisoner was one of many to tell the story of Maximilian Kolbe after the war which ultimately led to his sainthood. 

Fortunately, leadership in the context of John XXIII College does not require the same level of sacrifice. As our Year 12 students complete their examinations, the challenge is for all students to assume new levels of responsibility as we seek inspiration from those who have gone before us.

Robert Henderson

Principal