From the Principal
During last week’s Newsletter, I made comment about how impressive it was to witness our graduating Year 12 students seizing the opportunity to acknowledge the College’s contribution to their own development by generously thanking our staff. There were certainly plenty of opportunities to do so, from the Art Exhibition opening on Monday night, the Sports Awards Night on Tuesday, the Day of Invitation Mass and Assembly on Thursday, and Valete on Friday night. All significant events in their own right, but as a collective, all made for a very special week of celebrations involving so many.
As we know, without gratitude, we risk seeing the world as something to possess or control, rather than something to receive and cherish. In a speech Pope Leo gave to a delegate of Jesuits visiting Rome on the weekend, mention was made of a ‘change of Epoch’ in which we live, ‘marked by rapid shifts in culture, economics, technology and politics.’ A world where ‘populism and ideological polarisation deepen divisions within and among nations.’ A world where ‘many are affected by consumerism, individualism, and indifference.’ Those in attendance were encouraged to ‘embrace what promotes human dignity.’
For St Ignatius, gratitude opens the heart and mind, helping us to recognise how much we have been given, prompting within us a movement to give more fully in return; certainly counter to a culture where many are affected by consumerism, individualism and indifference. Included in last week’s Newsletter was the first of a series of short videos designed to deepen our understanding of Ignatian spirituality, where we as a community are invited to discover the extraordinary within the ordinary and to seek and find God in all things. As you will have seen, our first video is a collaboration between staff, students and parents. What you will also witness are the genuine expressions of gratitude throughout, for it was St Ignatius who recognised that the same gratitude keeps one humble, joyful and open-hearted.
Today is World Teachers’ Day, and the importance of recognising our own expert teachers has not been lost on our broader community. With this in mind, our generous parents provided our College educators with a special morning tea. On behalf of the College staff, I express my gratitude to everyone who so generously contributed and thank you for your acknowledgement of the important work of education.
Lastly, our thoughts and prayers are with our Year 12 students as they complete their written WACE examinations. We pray that they will be suitably rewarded for all of their hard work and dedication to their studies.
Daniel Mahon
Principal