From the Principal
Dear Mazenod Families,
Welcome to the 2023 academic year. The past fortnight has been filled with excitement as we welcome new students and families while settling the whole school once more into the rhythm of College life. I hope this year brings great joy and fulfilment to all in our community. There is so much happening in the next few weeks that highlight the vibrancy of our College. Opening Mass and the National De Mazenod Student Leaders’ Conference, the Calling and Departure ceremonies for the Year 9 Rite Journey, Year 7 Camp and the House Swimming carnivals are just a few of the many opportunities and celebrations in the Mazenod Journey.
The beginning of the year provides an opportune time to remind ourselves who we are at Mazenod and what we strive to achieve as a boys’ Catholic school, guided by the charism of St Eugene De Mazenod and working in the tradition of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate – the Oblates. There are three well known St Eugene De Mazenod sayings in the Oblate ministries which I will share with you that capture our mission and work at Mazenod College:
Come, learn what you are in the eyes of God
This is our modern motto at Mazenod and St Eugene meant for us to see each individual student for who he is, a dignified and loved person known by name. In the era in which he lived and even today, an individual’s worth may be reduced or measured by what he/she brings or has of value. In St Eugene’s words we are encouraged to see far more in a person than this value. At Mazenod we want to help each boy and young man embrace his dignity and human person through quality classroom learning, formation programs and experiences that grow talent and confidence towards adulthood.
Through the eyes of Christ we see the world
Christ’s eyes are full of compassion and love. In our work at Mazenod we seek to develop in each student and adult the desire to see a need and respond with zeal.
Leave nothing undared for the Kingdom of God
When we see a need that will potentially dignify and affirm another, we act. In Eugene’s words this calls on us to be daring to meet the needs of our fellow students and those in wider society who require us to be their champions, living the Gospel.
2023 College Theme
Every year we shape an annual focus which relates to the College Core Values. With the above three sayings of St Eugene in mind, we have chosen Being Mazenodian - play your part. At the recent Opening College Assembly, I spoke to the students about what Being Mazenodian means and what part they are invited to play in living the words of St Eugene. As the year unfolds the Newsletter will highlight further the annual focus.
Opening College Mass - Your Invitation
On Tuesday, 14 February at 9.30am, we will celebrate the Opening Mass for 2023. Our brother schools, their staff members, Principals, Rectors and Provincial, Fr Christian Fini OMI will be with us for this occasion. Parents are most welcome to attend. For Year 12 parents it is an opportunity to support their sons as they receive either blessed Senior badges or Prefect-Captain badges. The first Year 12 event of the final milestones in the Mazenod Journey.
Year 7 parents may also wish to attend to support their sons and experience one of the early milestones in the Mazenod Journey. Following Mass there will be a morning tea for our interstate and parent/family guests. February 14 is also the College’s 57th birthday, so it’s another good reason to come along and celebrate with us.
Oblate Celebrations
It is easy to overlook some very important dates in our tradition given that they occur at the same time as the school year begins. On January 25, we joined with our brother schools in Australia to recognize the 207th anniversary of the foundation of the Oblates. On 25 January, 1816 Eugene De Mazenod and four other priests moved into the old Carmelite convent in the French town of Aix-en-Provence to begin their community life as the Missionaries of Provence, later to be the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
On February 14, 1966 our Mazenod College opened its doors to the first 31 enrolled students in years 6 and 7. February 17 marks Oblate Day when Oblate communities celebrate their history, their present community and the future. We wish all Oblate communities worldwide a very happy upcoming Oblate Day!
Best wishes for the week ahead.
“How vast the field that lies before us!” – St Eugene De Mazenod
Andrew Watson
Principal