From the Principal

Last week, I was privileged to be invited to participate in a panel discussion titled, ‘Leading Forward with Felicity and Hope; Future focused learning in a Changing World’. The panel of Loreto Principals from schools across Australia discussed the changing nature of leadership, learning communities in an ever-changing world and the importance of school culture, amongst other things. 

More specifically, one of the questions I was asked was, ‘When you look to the future of education with hope, what gives you the greatest confidence that we are well placed for what lies ahead?’

An interesting question and one that deserves much thought. Those relatively new to our community and have recently been in enrolment interviews will recognise the answer, if only in part. We encourage our students to be courageous to lean into challenge in all they do. To strive for excellence and their own personal best, whatever that may be.  Equally important, is the development of conscience through the practice of being people for others. Our Catholic, co-educational community benefits from a balanced education addressing the academic, social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of our students. 

The same could be said for many Catholic schools, though, so what gives me the greatest confidence that we are well placed for what lies ahead?

We are an Ignatian College and anyone truly shaped by an Ignatian education is formed to lead, whether they are in charge or not. Once Ignatian, they are called to be aware of how they are leading in their life, and they are also called to gauge the impact that leadership is having on others. Every year I acknowledge that our Year 12 graduates will be leaders, be that in industry, in their work, in their community, in their families. What I really mean is that our graduates are Ignatian leaders, and there is a difference, and that difference is of particular interest and urgency in a modern society where local, national and global leadership is often mixed at best.

So, what is the difference? As UK based Ignatian retreat guide, Sarah Broscombe, explains, ‘Ignatian leadership is not a coherent theory, or a body of scholarship. It’s a lived experience.’ 

It is during those times when we witness in our students their strength in humility. When they are free from the pressure of trying to earn worth, and authentic enough to not be threatened by the achievements of others and, instead, actively celebrate the brilliance of those around them by lifting them up.

It is when we witness our students practising the art of discernment, which, when truly Ignatian, is more than calculating the costs and benefits of a decision; it is a commitment, as Pope Francis described, ‘to listen with the ear of the heart’ and make decisions for the universal good. 

It is the lived experience of this type of humility and discernment that gives me great confidence that we are well placed for whatever lies ahead. 

Daniel Mahon

Principal