From the Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Friends of St Norbert College

“Art never becomes boring because you never reach the end, there are always more ways you can improve or more things you can make, it really is the ultimate expression of yourself and knowing that is a really freeing feeling,” (Sanjita Ghimire – Year 11).

We were delighted last week when it was announced that our very own Sanjita Ghimire had won the prestigious 2018 Fra Angelico Art Award for Catholic secondary students, presented at the official opening of the 25th annual Angelico Exhibition last week at the Forrest Centre in Perth.

Sanjita’s artwork, titled ‘Youth is a State of Mind’, was among 169 entries submitted by students around the State, representing 31 different schools. Well done Sanjita, we are very proud of your efforts and your artwork. Sanjita’s piece and a host of other amazing art works from our students will be on display at our annual Creative Arts Exhibition, details of which are included in this newsletter.

The Catholic Performing Arts Festival is another most endearing and joyful event on the Catholic school calendar. From very modest origins back in 1989, the Festival this year has grown to include 20,910 Catholic school students performing in a range of artistic disciplines at over 12 venues within the metropolitan area alone. This year’s Festival commenced with an Opening Mass held on Friday 20 July at Infant Jesus Parish in Morley and culminates some 52 days later with the amazing Festival Concert at the Perth Concert Hall on Monday 10 September.

The Acting Executive Director of Catholic Education Western Australia, Dr Debra Sayce, shares a quote from Pope Francis in this year’s Festival program:

“Pope Francis encourages young people ‘to put your talents at the service of the Gospel,

with creativity and boundless charity’”.

The Festival has 14 sections of varied and diverse forms, the focus for our own students being the areas of instrumental, band and ensemble music; solo, duet and choral singing; dance and drama.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our very talented students and performing arts staff for their tireless energy in bringing their performance gifts to life.

It is important to acknowledge our Pedal Prix team, 'The SNC Supernovas' who attended the recent Busselton round of the National Human Powered Vehicle Pedal-Prix last weekend. The team of Year 9 and 10 students represented the College well on the day finishing 6th out of 21 in the age category and 18th out of 51 overall. Congratulations to the team (Jack Wheeler, Francesco Tilli, Michael Tilli, Xavier Jones, Daniel Gressieux, Connor Bunyan, Riley Moore, Lorenzo Donatelli, Brian Anthony and Dylan Williams) and to Mr D’Almeida and Mr Lawson for coaching and preparing the students and to Mrs Bunyan who assisted on the day.

I think it is fitting also to acknowledge the feats of one of our staff members. Mr Mark Lawson, who assisted our Pedal Prix students and works in our Technologies team, leaves over the weekend for an overseas tour which includes competing in the World Masters Canoe Championships in Portugal. Mr Lawson currently holds the National title in the Over 55s Canoe Marathon class. We wish Mr Lawson well in this competition.

I would like to finish by recognising the Staff Service Day last week, largely through the hard work and coordination of Ms Kyd,our Coordinator of Campus Ministry. St Norbert College is very proud of the lengths that our students go to serve those less fortunate in our community, so it was a wonderful experience for all of our staff to dedicate time, talent and treasure to the agencies that our students assist in the amazing work they do for those in need. As St Francis of Assisi says:

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

I can only recommend to our parents to encourage our young people to avail themselves of the opportunities, whether through our Campus Ministry team or beyond, to experience the wonders of giving service. Our staff received much from our giving last week and for this, we are always grateful.

God Bless,

Mr S Harvey (Principal)