From the Principal

Our Secondary School Holy Week Liturgy and Primary School Easter Reflections provided students and staff with important opportunities for reflection, renewal and spiritual growth in anticipation of the upcoming celebration of Easter.

During the week, our Year 12 students also participated in their Manresa Retreat. Why Manresa? It was on 25 March in 1522 that one of our Founders, St Ignatius, arrived at the village Manresa on the Cardoner River in northern Spain. The eleven months he spent in Manresa were crucial in the development of his own spirituality and understanding of his life’s work. It was in Manresa that Ignatius began to compile the reflections of his spiritual life that developed into the Spiritual Exercises. 

‘He sat down for a little while with his face to the river – Cardoner – which was running deep. While he was seated there, the eyes of his understanding began to be opened; though he did not see any vision, he understood and knew many things and matters of faith and learning, and this was with so great an enlightenment that everything seemed new to him. It was as if he was a new man with a new intellect.’ 

(In a Pilgrim’s Journey, Joseph N. Tylenda SJ)

So it was that our Year 12 students were afforded the opportunity to pause and reflect during their own Manresa experience.

As we approach Easter Sunday, we are also invited to pause and reflect on the blessings that grace our lives in the hope that the Easter message of renewal will inspire us to live with even greater compassion and kindness. 

With this in mind, I hope you are afforded the opportunity to spend some precious time with family and friends during the holiday break and I look forward to everyone’s return in Term 2. 

Finally, please find below the following messages from Dr Courtenay Harris, outgoing Chair of Council and Mr Simon Martin, Chair-elect, for your information.

Dear staff, students and the College community

At the John XXIII College Council Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 9 April, 

Mr Simon Martin was elected as the new Chair of College Council, and 

Mr Christian Owen re-elected as Deputy Chair of Council.  Simon is an excellent appointment to the role of Chair, having been a member of the College Council since 2022, and recently holding the role of Chair of the Finance and Risk Committee.

Twenty-five years after my first son commenced at the College in kindergarten in the year 2000, all four of my children have now graduated from the College, and I am now completing my 12-year term on Council, including the last three years as Chair.  It has been an absolute joy and privilege to be a member of this wonderful community, and to be able to support the College in my role as a Council member, working alongside other skilled and dedicated Council members and the College Executive team.  Thank you to all staff, students, parents, caregivers, and Alumni for your continued support of the College.

Kind regards

Courtenay Harris

Thank you Dr Harris for the inspirational leadership during your tenure and for all your efforts whilst serving on Council.  All past and present members of Council agree that you have been outstanding in the role.

I am looking forward to continuing to support the College in this role alongside the other members of Council and the College Executive team and feel privileged to be part of this dedicated group.

Kind regards

Simon Martin

We look forward to acknowledging Dr Harris’ significant contribution to the College later in the year at Presentation Night, and we congratulate Mr Martin for his election to Chair of Council.

Daniel Mahon

Principal