From the Executive

The Easter break was a great opportunity for all to catch their breath, recover and reflect on the First Term of 2022. The academic term ended with Concerts, Parent-Teacher interviews and Mission Action Day. The beauty of these events is that they are all ‘student centered’, and student-initiated.  The Music Concert organized by George Melitsis, Director of Music Operations, held on Monday the 4th of April, was the first opportunity for some students to perform in public. The joy on their faces, and on those in the audience, reflected the satisfaction that the performers and their teachers felt at having the prospect to share the love of music. It was at this concert that the Mazenod Community had the chance to farewell Clare Bugeja. Clare has been our strings teacher for over seven years and has been a much respected and loved member of the music department. This night was also a fundraiser for the Oblate missions and over $900 dollars were raised through raffles and donations.

Modern-day Parent Teacher Interviews are certainly not as daunting as they were in my day. (Perhaps that was due to the type of student I was!) The opportunity to meet families, albeit over google meets, has always been a privilege and pleasure. It was obvious that students, teachers, and parents are on the same page, and the conversations are geared to expressing the strengths of individuals and the techniques that can be employed to gain even greater success. The two days of parent-teacher interviews were organized by Marilou Gelderbloem, one of the admin staff, and Noel Jenkinson, Deputy Principal Curriculum and Staffing. Their efforts in implementing the structure for over 7100 interviews for 1032 parents were outstanding.

The ‘show piece’ of term one is Mission Action Day, a day where the Year 12 students are committed to supporting the Oblate missions. The day commenced with an emphasis on the events of Holy Week and the simple, yet moving, the commemoration of the Stations of the Cross, organized by Tina Giacco, was a reminder of God’s love to mankind through the sacrifice of his only Son, Jesus Christ. Mission Action Day then commenced, with the ‘action’ being that of an eight-kilometre walk. Whilst this may not have been everyone’s sense of fun, the action of moving forward, as one community, demonstrates the unity and commitment Mazenod has to the work of the Oblates.

Once back at school the student body is entertained by activities organized and managed by the Year 12 and 11 leaders. Under the guidance of Josh Hunter, Social Justice Coordinator, and Pier Bourne, Acting Deputy Principal Students, the leaders plan and run the day. From sourcing raffle prizes, cooking kebabs and operating slushie machines, the senior students run events that raise funds for the Oblate missions, some of which are in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Africa. To date, the College has raised $46,000 for the Oblate missions and if you have not had the opportunity to contribute and would like to do so, please send any monies to the Student Counter or leave your donation at Reception. 

Lastly, I would like to mention just some of the activities that have been taking place at the College over the past two weeks of school holidays. The maintenance team has been continuing with the regular cleaning, repair work and building that takes place when the school has no students or staff. Painting has been done; the Johnson Oval has been transformed from a venue for cricket to a football ground which is the envy of many opposition ACC teams. A four-square court has been built in front of the Year 7 area, 

and the renovations program has been overseen by Marc and his crew.  The Finance Department has been busy balancing books, purchasing furniture and ensuring bills and wages are paid. Merry De La Zilwa did an audit of the public address system around the school and students and staff should notice the increase in the number of speakers in the main building and around the outside basketball courts. The Admin staff have been taking numerous enquiries, preparing templates for reports, and ensuring that all materials necessary for staff and students to transition from holidays to the busyness of Term 2 have been undertaken.

Have a great Term 2, remember if there is anything that we at the College can do for you or your son please just ask.

Mr Tony Rolfe

Deputy Principal Operations