From the Principal

Our young leaders

‘I want to give something back to the College.’

One of my more pleasant tasks each year is interviewing Head Boy and Head Girl candidates. Mrs Negus and I have the pleasure of meeting individually with Year 11 students who have expressed an interest in the role. This year we have had 27 interviews which is indicative of a vibrant year level and a willingness to be further engaged at the College. The candidates then have an opportunity of speaking to their peer group and voting occurs. The process is quite thorough and perhaps a little more professional than the recent parliamentary debacle in Canberra!

In many of the interviews, our prospective leaders tell us ‘that they love the College and want to give something back’. It is always refreshing to learn of their spirit of service and their wish to make John XXIII College a better school. I am also impressed with the maturity of our young people and their capacity to look beyond themselves with discussion of initiatives that would potentially benefit other students in our community.

Often when I listen to our students I reflect that they are much more composed and wise than I was at the same age. Much of that credit goes to our families for cultivating young people with a strong sense of justice and purpose. In an ever-changing world, one of our challenges is to bring the Mission and Vision of our College to life through the actions of our students, staff and wider community.

Our Mission statement has the aspirational aim expressed as follows:

 ‘In the spirit of John XXIII, Mary Ward and Ignatius Loyola, our College seeks to be people of competence, conscience and compassion who are committed to God and the service of others.’

Judging from the calibre of the students I have recently interviewed, the College is having some success.

Robert Henderson

Principal