From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 2! I trust that our Mt A families, enjoyed some special time together over the recent Easter Break and that you were able to find moments of peace, connection and an opportunity to recharge the batteries, given the busy lives we all live!

This term break past, I can confirm that I managed to achieved this! As a Principal, it is often challenging to fully take time away from the demands of the job, in leading what is also ‘a business’ which functions beyond the allocated term times. This Easter Break however, I was fortunate enough to travel to Tasmania and enjoyed the wilderness of the Freycinet National Park, Bruny Island and Cockle Creek (which is literally the southernmost point you can travel by road in Australia!).  Is there anything more magical than the night skies, the majestic old growth forests and breathtaking turquoise waters and rugged coastlines of Tassie? 1 week of ‘off-grid’ and (virtually) tech free, was restorative in ways that a 3-week holiday in the city could never equalise, again a reminder to me of the powerful place that nature holds in our wellbeing. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful country.

Postcard from Tasmania - Just as well I am a Principal of a Franciscan School - I have always been a tree hugger!

As teaching staff, students and many families were enjoying some well-earned rest, many of our support staff continued to undertake work here at the College. I would like to acknowledge the dedication of our Maintenance Team, IT Team, Finance and Administrative team that kept the ‘home fires’ burning over the break. We simply could not do all the things we do at Mt A without them all!

During my time of leave, I had the opportunity to do some wide reading, again the gift of having some time away. I came across something from the history annals of St Ignatius of Loyola, that has stuck with me and that I hope to emulate in the work that I do leading our College. 

During the Council of Trent opened on December 13, 1545. Pope Paul III had asked Ignatius for three Jesuits to serve as theologians to the three papal legates presiding over the council; in response to this request, Ignatius appointed Diego Laínez, Alfonso Salmerón, and Pierre Favre. Before they left Rome in early 1546, Ignatius wrote an instruction for their benefit and in it, he offers his advice on how to deal with others at the council.

Be slow to speak. Be considerate and kind, especially when it comes to deciding on matters under discussion, or about to be discussed in the council.

Be slow to speak, and only after having first listened quietly, so that you may understand the meaning, leanings, and wishes of those who do speak. Thus you will better know when to speak and when to be silent.

When these or other matters are under discussion, I should consider the reasons on both sides without showing any attachment to my own opinion, and try to avoid bringing dissatisfaction to anyone.

I should not cite anyone as supporting my opinion, especially if they are persons of importance, unless this has been thoroughly arranged beforehand. And I would deal with everyone on an equal basis, never taking sides with anyone.

If the matters being discussed are of such a nature that you cannot or ought not to be silent, then give your opinion with the greatest possible humility and sincerity, and always end with the words ‘salvo meliori iudicio’—with due respect for a better opinion.

The Jesuits have been around for 490 years. Longer than many empires, corporations, or schools, so these are wise words indeed and ones that support a pathway for respectful dialogue in pursuit of peace and kindness. The art of listening is something desperately required in our world today.

It is with much excitement and anticipation that we look forward to Term 2, it was a true delight to welcome back our students and staff this week. We have certainly packed in a great deal already! We have enjoyed a wonderful day of Interhouse Cross Country on Tuesday, with outstanding student participation and House Spirit across the board. 

Yesterday, we commemorated ANZAC Day at our Assembly. We thank all our invited guests for joining us on this special occasion. Mr Peter Saxon, representative of the Kedron-Wavell Sub-Branch RSL, Sr Catherine White, Cr Danita Parry and Ms Dana Hartnell (representative for Mr Jimmy Sullivan State Member for Stafford). We also wish our RSL 

Student Liaison Representatives for 2023; Amaeh Reed and Sofia Pezzetta a safe, inspiring and memorable trip to Canberra next week in conjunction with other students leaders and members of the Kedron-Wavell Sub Branch for the ANZAC day service in Canberra. We acknowledge the generosity of the Kedron-Wavell RSL Sub Branch in sponsoring these experiences for our students.

As a College community we also acknowledge the horrific events of last weekend in Sydney, which we all know, could have occurred in any community around Australia.

Loving God,

We grieve the loss of life through acts of violence.

Please comfort all those who grieve, 

Or have been impacted by these events.

We thank you for the everyday heroes, police, ambulance and emergency medical personnel 

who were first responders to these events.

We pray for the recovery of those who have been injured, and those who continue to be distressed by these traumatic circumstances.

Please turn our hearts to Jesus that we may

Find our rest in him and hasten the day

When peace and justice reign.

Amen

I look forward to continuing to connect with our students, staff and parents across a range of different events, functions and experiences this term. May peace and service continue to be at the heart of all that we do.

Peace and all good,

Samantha