Principal
Dear Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College Community,
I often use the Newsletter to highlight the many different learning opportunities at our College, both inside and outside the classroom, and to thank the staff and students involved. This edition will be no different!
House Swimming Carnival
Our Swimming competition was a great success. We were blessed with great weather and a strong sense of community among all present.
Thank you, Travis Newton, and everyone who has supported him—Rachel Collins, Anna Patterson, Emma Blunt, Adrienne Layton, Tennielle Homan, Laura Kew, Marie Holderhead, Alisha Hemming, Melissa Preston, Ken Myors, Robert Damon, and Boyd Robertson—in preparing for the House Swimming Carnival on Thursday, February 13, at the Korumburra Pool.
This was a well-run event with good levels of participation. Thanks to all the staff for their support on the day.
JJAM
Thanks to Scott Blencowe and Sarah Roscoe-Smith who accompanied our College Captains, Eleanor Pedlow, and Pat Wilson, to Sydney where they attended JJAM. At the event, they met with other College Leaders from Josephite Schools around Australia and New Zealand.
House Athletics
On Monday, 24 February we held our House Athletics competition at the Athletics facility in Leongatha. Whilst the day started with a small amount of rain, it turned out to be a fine day, that was not too hot, which meant combined with great organisation, community involvement, and quality facilities allowed us to experience a great day of competition.
Thanks to Travis Newton for his organisation and leadership. Thanks also to those who have assisted including our Administration Team, Maintenance Team, Anna Patterson, Rachel Collins, Emma Blunt, Alisha Hemming as well as Ben Cruickshank and the other members from the Leongatha Little Athletics Club.
Catholic Identity Professional Learning and Formation Day
Thanks to Nicole Dudman, assisted by Scott Blencowe, for organising of our visit to Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre in Fitzroy and associated learning opportunities on Tuesday, 25 February.
This will be a great opportunity for everyone to deepen their understanding and connection to our Charism.
Opening of Schol Liturgy and Achievers Assembly
On Monday, 17 February we held our Opening of the School Year Liturgy and Achievers Assembly.
Thank you to Nicole Dudman for her Leadership of this event on Monday, 17 February. Thank you as well to Jodie Connell (who did a lot of the work for collating information for the Achievers’ Assembly), Anna Patterson, Laura Higgins, Scott Blencowe, Laura Kew, Ken Myors, Robert Damon, Boyd Robertson, Vince Andronaco (IT support from DOSCEL) and Nia Robinson.
This was a great way to gather formally as a community for the first time this year. It was an opportunity for me to formally welcome new staff and students and to offer a few thoughts about the value of purposeful preparation and how it prepares you to meet not only your considered goals, but also to access unforeseen opportunities.
Below is an edited extract of my speech.
Students, parents, family members, and distinguished guests, particularly those here from the Class of 2024 welcome to our Opening of College Liturgy and Achievers Assembly which is our first Whole School gathering for 2025.
Last year the Holy Father, Pope Francis, declared that 2025 will be a Jubilee Year, something which happens every 25 years. The theme for Jubilee 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope,” and it will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis.
In choosing the motto ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ for the Jubilee, Pope Francis noted that ‘We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so greatly desire’.
This will be the focus of our Liturgy today, prepared by our Director of Catholic Identity and Mission, Ms Nicole Dudman, so I won’t expand on what this entails today ... perhaps more at another gathering.
Today I want to explore the true concept of luck, which may also give a hint to how I feel we can turn hope into positive action that will support the Pope’s call to us all.
Many people believe that luck is a random, uncontrollable force that determines our success or failure. However, I am here to tell you that luck is not just a matter of chance. Rather, it is the remarkable result of preparation meeting opportunity.
Let's start by understanding what we mean by preparation. Preparation involves acquiring knowledge, skills, and experience that equip us to face challenges and seize opportunities. It requires dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Whether it's mastering a craft, honing a talent, or developing expertise in a particular field, preparation is the foundation upon which success is built. It is about being ready for the moment when opportunity knocks.
On the other hand, opportunity is often seen as a chance event that presents itself unexpectedly. Opportunities can come in various forms, such as a job opening, a business idea, a chance encounter, or a new trend. However, opportunities alone are not enough to guarantee success. Without the necessary preparation, even the most promising opportunities can slip through our fingers.
The magic happens when preparation and opportunity intersect. This intersection is what we commonly refer to as luck. It is the moment when all the hard work, dedication, and effort we have put into our preparation align perfectly with the opportunity at hand. In other words, luck is not a mere coincidence; it is the culmination of our readiness and the right circumstances.
Take, for example, the world of sports, where we often witness athletes who seem to have an uncanny ability to seize the moment and seemingly achieve the impossible. These athletes spend years training, refining their skills, and mentally preparing themselves for competition. When the opportunity arises, they are ready to deliver their best performance. Their success is not a stroke of luck but the outcome of their relentless preparation.
In our own lives, we can create our own luck by being proactive and prepared. It means taking the time to develop our skills, expand our knowledge, and build meaningful relationships. It involves setting goals, staying focused, and being resilient in the face of challenges. By doing so, we increase our chances of placing ourselves in the right place at the right time.
So, how can we cultivate this mindset of preparation meeting opportunity? Firstly, we must embrace a growth mindset. We should view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than obstacles to be feared. Continuous learning and self-improvement should be our guiding principles. Secondly, we must be open to new experiences and willing to step out of our comfort zones. By exposing ourselves to different perspectives and opportunities, we increase our chances of encountering the right opportunity.
In conclusion, luck is not a mystical force that randomly selects a few fortunate individuals. It is the result of preparation meeting opportunity. By putting in the effort to prepare ourselves and being ready to seek and seize opportunities when they emerge, we can create our own luck.
Therefore, my challenge to us all is to embrace the power of preparation and seize the opportunities that come our way. Remember, luck is not something that happens to us; it is something we create.
To our graduates in front of me today and those who could not attend, I say thank you for being examples of what I have just spoken about. Your achievements to date were not attained by chance … I know that and so do you. The pathway you are on right now was attained by hard work, seeking help when needed, and persistence. Well done.
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman