From the Principal

Come Learn Who You Are in the Eyes of God

In what ways can our young men learn who they are in the eyes of God and themselves? Over the course of this last week, two students have communicated an apology to me.  One was a Year 12 student who sat before me and apologised and the other was a Year 7 student who wrote me a card with the words ‘I am so sorry’ on the front. Both apologised for behaviour that they were not proud of. Neither student was asked to deliver an apology, let alone to the Principal of their College.

At Mazenod College, we speak about developing resilient young men of character -students who will navigate life with integrity, humility and compassion. An essential part of this life-journey is recognising that mistakes are not failures to be hidden, but opportunities to grow. They invite reflection, courage and the kind of honest self‑assessment that strengthens wellbeing and deepens character. What defines a young person’s character is not the absence of mistakes, but their willingness to own them. Taking responsibility requires courage. It teaches accountability, strengthens emotional maturity, and lays the foundation for healthy masculinity - one that values honesty over ego, learning over blame, and relationships over reputation.

Importantly, owning mistakes is the first step in restoring trust. When a young person acknowledges where things went wrong and works towards making them right, relationships deepen rather than fracture. This process fosters empathy and strengthens our Mazenod community, reminding young men that trust can be lost in a moment, but has to be rebuilt through consistent, restorative actions.

As educators and families, we play a crucial role in modelling this mindset. When we respond to mistakes with guidance rather than shame, we help our young men understand that growth is a journey, and that accountability is a sign of strength - not weakness.

Strength and humility brought those two young men to apologise to me this week.  We have much to learn from the courage and integrity of one of our youngest students and one of our eldest. They are most certainly learning ‘who they are in the eyes of God’.

Together, let us continue nurturing an environment where our young men feel this safe to learn, reflect, and become the best versions of themselves.

‘Leave Nothing Undared for the Kingdom of God’

God Bless. Our community remains always in my prayers.

Sabrina Hughes

Principal