From the Principal

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of Mazenod College,

“Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future will bring.” (Pope Francis when solemnly proclaiming the Jubilee Year 2025 of the Catholic Church).

I think this statement from Pope Francis above captures the start of any school year.

I shared at our first assembly, where we welcomed all of our Year 7 – 12 students and staff together for the first time, that Pope Francis has called upon us all to see the Jubilee Year 2025 as a time to refresh and renew and to see the year as “pilgrims of hope”, framing the year ahead as a true “moment of grace”.

As we commence the 2025 academic year, we look back with admiration on the achievements of our students, including the class of 2024, and to heed Pope Francis’ call to look towards this year with renewed vigour and hope for what comes before us.

Last week we welcomed over 880 students back from holidays, including 185 new students from Years 7 – 11 joining our Mazenod College community. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our new students and their families and thank all for the continued trust that our families place in our College to educate their young men.

Our College staff gathered for Mass on Thursday 30th January, again with the staff from St Brigid’s, on their College grounds where our Rector, Fr Michael Twigg OMI, celebrated a lovely Mass to mark the beginning of the new school year. We also welcomed our new staff joining Mazenod this year, the names of which, I have shared in previous communications to students and families. 

To mark the commencement of the school year for our students, we came together for two special assemblies. The first was to launch the year, to share our hopes and expectations and to promote the 2025 theme of “Moments of Grace”. The following day, we hosted students from the Class of 2024, who joined with our full school body, to recognise their achievements as a cohort as well as some outstanding individual successes from all students in 2024.

It was always wonderful to welcome students, staff and parents into our newly refurbished Oblate Hall for the first time and the delight on the faces of those present when seeing the bright colour, is a true Moment of Grace. We hope, that we are all inspired with a refreshed and renewed approach like Oblate Hall itself.

College Birthday

Today, the 14th February, marks the 59th birthday of our College. On this day, back in 1966, Fr Don McCarthy OMI and Fr Ian Mackintosh OMI, opened the doors to 31 students from grade 6 and 7 to two tin sheds to commence education for the first time at Mazenod College WA. So today, we extend our wishes and thanks to all Mazenodians – the Oblates, staff, students, families and community members who have contributed to the success of Mazenod College as a wonderful educational institution.

Madalah Welcome to Country

It was a very special privilege to join most of our Indigenous students at the annual Welcome to Country held in Kings Park last night. The event is hosted by Madalah, in conjunction with Future Footprints, and brings all aboriginal students from private schools in Perth together to mark the commencement of the school year, specifically on the grounds of the traditional owners, the Whadjuk people. The event included traditional dancing, a welcome to country and a smoking ceremony and it was an honour to share this experience with our boys. Thank you to Mr Simon Hayward, our Aboriginal Education Program Coordinator, and Miss Amelia Nunnerley, our Aboriginal Teaching Assistant, for facilitating this experience and our attendance. 

Technological Issues

Our College IT Support staff have been working throughout the holidays to rectify a number of issues related to our College network, communications and accessibility. We understand our reliance on technology and disruption to access can cause frustration, but we thank our community for their continued understanding and patience throughout this period.

Sadly, a major impact of this disruption was the inability to complete the required editing and distribution of the 2024 College Yearbook. Under normal circumstances, the annual yearbook would be distributed at the first week of the new school year but unfortunately this has been delayed. We hope to have the yearbook produced and distributed at some stage this term and will keep families abreast of this as publication progresses.

Farewell – Paul Godfrey

After 15 years as an integral member of our College staff and most specifically our cleaning team, Paul Godfrey called time on his employment at Mazenod College. College staff were able to thank Paul and wish him well in his future endeavours. On behalf of the broader Mazenod College community, I extend thanks to Paul and wish him our very best as he embarks on this new chapter.

Finally, I thank all of our young people for starting this year with a wonderful spirit of community, enthusiasm and joy. It bodes well for an exciting year ahead as we look to this year, determined to excite and energise our students about learning.

“Let us be really what we ought to be” (St Eugene De Mazenod).

God bless.

Simon Harvey

Principal