From our Principal
Commissioning as Acting Principal
Over the past two Sundays, I have been formally commissioned as Acting Principal at the 9am Masses at St Thomas the Apostle Parish and St Agatha’s Parish. I am sincerely grateful to Fr James Fernandez and Fr Antony Rebelo, and to the parishioners who have offered their prayers and trust as I take up leadership of St Peter’s College, the secondary educational ministry of our parishes.
It was a privilege to share a little of my own story. I was raised on the Mornington Peninsula by parents who were my first teachers in faith. Having experienced government, Catholic and independent schooling, I have developed a deep appreciation for the gift of Catholic education. My studies in science, theology, education, student wellbeing and instructional leadership — undertaken at Monash University, the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne College of Divinity — have only strengthened that conviction. Education has always been central to our family life, and my wife, who works in another Catholic school, and four children, who have all studied or are currently studying at university, share that commitment.
Throughout my life I have also been shaped by service — through missionary work abroad, prison chaplaincy, and involvement with Rosies Oblate Mission outreach to those experiencing homelessness. Inspired by St Peter, I believe we are called to live the Gospel in action, particularly in service of the vulnerable.
My commitment to St Peter’s is guided by our college focus on Faith, Education and Service.
Faith
My commitment to faith remains central to college life. I have thoroughly enjoyed continuing the principal’s tradition of meeting with all Year 7 students through guided visits to the Chapel at Cranbourne and the statue of St Peter at Clyde North. These moments provide an important introduction to what it means to belong to a faith community grounded in encounter with Christ.
I was also pleased that alongside Miss Fiona McKenna and Mr Tishan Lokuge we were able to visit our local parishes for the Ash Wednesday liturgies, where we collected ashes to bring back to our campuses. Such simple but profound traditions connect our school life to the wider Church and to the rhythm of the liturgical year.
Education
At our recent Academic Assemblies, we celebrated the outstanding achievements of our 2025 VCE Unit 3 & 4 students. Their success was not the product of chance, but of steady commitment, discipline and, fittingly for this year, love.
Our college theme — “Let all that you do be done in love” — reminds us that love, in the Christian tradition, is a decision. In learning, this means choosing perseverance when tired, focus when distracted, and effort when challenged. What we witnessed in our graduating students was love in action: diligence over ease and persistence over convenience. Their achievements reflect not only academic growth, but strength of character. For all our students, the message is clear — a love of learning, expressed through daily choices, leads to growth and flourishing.
Service
Service continues to be a visible expression of our faith in action. I recently joined our Religious Education leaders and student leaders at the Project Compassion Launch at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sale, where this year’s theme calls us to unite against poverty. This initiative reminds our students that solidarity with those in need is an essential part of Catholic life.
Our Rosies outreach recommencedthis weektly, providing students and staff with the opportunity to offer friendship and presence to those experiencing hardship. In addition, Breakfast Club has begun at both campuses, ensuring that students who arrive without having eaten are supported and ready to engage fully in their learning.
And finally, in another of those traditions of previous principals, I have begun meeting Year 12 students in house groups for lunch. The aim is to listen and learn from them. In our desire to be better educators, we need to know our students and it is wonderful to have this opportunity to hear what our students have to say.
Strengthened by God’s Spirit, I look forward to meeting many of you this year as we work together to help your children grow in faith, education and service.
Yours sincerely,
David Hansen
Acting Principal