Principal's Post
2023 Referendum
On October 14 eligible Australians will be asked to vote on changing the Constitution. The "Voice" refers to the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, a concept aimed at giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples a formal mechanism to advise the Australian government on policies and legislation affecting them. This idea gained momentum after the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart. It called for constitutional recognition and a "Voice" enshrined in the Constitution.
The question that will be put to voters is whether to alter the Constitution by recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the First Peoples of Australia. Specifically:
- there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
- the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.
As a democratic society, the people have the power to elect their leaders and participate in decision-making such as referendums. This promotes individual rights, equality, and civic engagement. When you receive a ballot paper at the referendum, you should write 'Yes' if you agree with this proposed change to the Constitution, or you should write 'No' if you do not agree.
As an educational community, it is important that we are informed and considered when discerning decisions as important as this. The link below will take you to the official referendum booklet from the Australian Electoral Commission outlining the arguments for the YES or NO vote.
As a Catholic community we are guided by the leaders of our church. The link below will take you to a statement from the Australian Catholic Bishops from their recent conference.
Night of Excellence
The 2023 Night of Excellence will be held on Thursday October 12 where we celebrate the accomplishments of many students in our College Community. The evening will highlight the talents of our students in academic achievement, performing and visual arts, sport, and cultural activities. This hopefully sets a standard that, in the future, all students will find aspirational. The major academic performers at each year level will be acknowledged on the evening. During assemblies and special events throughout the year many more students at the respective year levels were acknowledged for Academic Excellence, Christian Leadership and Determination and Persistence. The Spirit of The Oblate Awards consider the contribution all students make to College life. Staff always have the difficult task of narrowing the many worthy recipients to a small number of students at each year level. We also present all Year 12 students on the night and thank them for their contribution to the Mazenod College community and wish them well.
Year 12 Finish
The Year 12 students will conduct their final assembly on Friday October 13. This tradition looks at the collective contribution of the Year 12 cohort and acknowledges the dedication of staff not only at Year 12 but all who have been part of their formation over the six years. It is a day to express gratitude to staff, students, and parents/carers, for their commitment and generosity, which establishes the culture that is revered by so many past and present Mazenod community members. We wish all our students every success with their exams, their career aspirations, and their future lives as Old Collegians, spiritually, vocationally and pastorally.
Year 12 Valedictory Mass and Dinner
On Sunday October 15, the Year 12 students and their families will celebrate their Valedictory Mass and Dinner. Mass will be celebrated at St Simon’s Rowville and we are looking forward to expressing our gratitude for the year as a faith community.
Building Works Update
Stages 3-6 of the building works includes the redevelopment of general learning spaces, staff work areas & corridors in the Main Building, for Years 8, 9 & 10. Learning spaces will be refurbished to enhance flexibility, improve surveillance and the spread of natural light, improve aesthetics, acoustics & thermal comfort and a provide a stronger connection to nature. Outdoor covered gathering spaces will be added to provide for outdoor learning connection and passive recreation, whilst removing lockers from internal corridors to enable break-out learning opportunities. These works will be staged to limit disruption and are due to be fully completed in late March 2024.
Responsible and sensitive management of financial considerations including thorough preparation and financial planning has served the College well and we are in a sound position to continue the build with confidence. The support of the Building Fund component of the fee structure is critical to the College’s continued development and your continued support in this area is needed and appreciated.
All the best,
Dr Paul Shannon
Principal