Learning & Teaching News

Never has Education been more important

We recently celebrated the feast day of Pope St John Paul II. In our prayer and reflection on his life I was particularly moved by four significant quotes that are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago. It emphasised to me that education has never been more important to a civilised society.

“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought”

In the midst of a pandemic, the clash of rights has never been more apparent.  The right not to wear a mask versus the right to be safe from a highly contagious virus. These are debates that our Year 12 students considered in Ethics this year.  The robust and open discussion from the perspective of the compassion of Jesus Christ assists us to become caring, community minded citizens.

“Social justice cannot be attained by violence. Violence kills what it intends to create.”

We are reminded of a number of protests this year that have been more controversial because they have occurred against the backdrop of COVID-19.  Both ends of the political spectrum exercised their right to free speech either through the Black Lives Matter or Anti Lockdown protests.  When these protests became violent, good people were repelled by the behaviour of protesters.  It became more difficult to discern the important messages being expressed and led to further polarisation in the community.  It ultimately threatened free speech itself as fearful people retreat into calls for more forceful law and order.  Our students of VCAL Religious Education and VCE Religion & Society have discussed various issues through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching during the year.

“A democracy without values easily turns into open or thinly disguised totalitarianism.”

A 2020 report by Freedom House has shown a consistent decline in democracy and pluralism across the world over the past 14 years.  It is not only third world dictators destroying democratic institutions. Leaders in what have been considered some of the world’s greatest democracies are undermining institutional safeguards and disregarding or mocking the media, critics and minorities. In Global Politics and History, our students have been able to broaden their perspective and compare and contrast societies that have respected the hard-won truth and freedoms of their citizens.

“Learning to think rigorously, so as to act rightly and to serve humanity better.”

Never has education been more important.  At St. Peter’s College, we are privileged not to teach our students what to think but teach them to think for themselves.  To think intelligently and critically, not just to get good marks or pursue our dream job or make our parents proud…but so that we can indeed all serve humanity better.

HEADSTART

Headstart is our program in the final two and a half weeks of Term 4 that ensures our students are prepared for the academic year ahead.  When some schools are winding down, at St. Peter’s College we are using vital class time to iron out administrative issues (eg. subject changes), organising holiday homework for the senior students and beginning to develop the skills and understanding of the various courses.

Please take note of the following important dates:

Wishing you a happy fortnight ahead as we slowly emerge from lockdown.

Mr David Hansen

Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching