PRINCIPAL'S PEN

Dear members of the Saints family,

Happy new year and welcome to this special edition of Saints News. 

While this newsletter contains pertinent information for 2024, I wish to begin by expressing concern and prayers for those in our region that have been affected by the extreme weather. Homes have been lost to flooding and we know this has had an impact on some of our families. If you are in need, please let the school know as we do have resources to help you. 

I also offer thanks to a number of our staff who worked through the holidays. As a boarding school we were in the fortunate position to be able to help the State Emergency Service. For three weeks, Saints boarded and fed three shifts of 75 SES workers who, in responding to cyclone Jasper, made St Augustine’s home. 

Meanwhile, to the new members of our community, embarking on a new journey always carries a sense of excitement. The enthusiasm exhibited by our Year 7 students during Orientation Day in November was marked by a distinct energy as they prepared to embrace new experiences. Undoubtedly, their inaugural week will be replete with promise and excitement, reminiscent of that momentous day in November. 

As for our returning students, a spectrum of anticipation awaits, offering an opportunity for a rejuvenated beginning. We all commence the year with the aspiration of continual improvement and a renewed sense of confidence.

2023 ATAR results

Congratulations to our Class of 2023 who performed exceptionally well. These excellent results are indicative of the hard work and effort of our staff and students. 

Strategic Plan 2024-2026

This year we launch the next phase of our strategic directions Gathered Around the Same Table:  Strategic Plan 2024-2026. These strategic intentions are designed to be expansive in scope, ensuring continued relevance, and sufficiently specific to offer actionable guidance for St Augustine’s over the next three years. 

The College is well placed to deliver a world-class, faith-filled education thanks to the outstanding work of our predecessors. However, we will not rest on our previous successes but will continue to critically review our practice and seek improvement. We will not "cruise" as a school, but rather keep "moving" so we can continue to offer our students a relevant, holistic Marist education. 

Furthermore, following the successful completion of a substantial new construction project in 2023, Lavalla Stage 2, we are now initiating a comprehensive master building plan that will strategically extend our vision 10-15 years into the future. The formulation of these plans, in conjunction with the delineated strategic directions for the next three years, points to a period of great excitement and opportunity for St Augustine's.

Upgrades & building works

Much work has continued over the Christmas break, and I thank our maintenance team for having the school in great shape for the return of our students for the year ahead. This work has included:

• Changes to classrooms with new carpet and painting, including C3 renovations.
• Maintenance and upgrading of the showgrounds oval with a view to using it for sport.
• The beginning of the Stage 1 refurbishment of the Upper Ambrose Residence.

The 2024 Marist theme 

The theme for this year is First Light – Reveal the Spirit. This theme invites us to recognise the world as the place in which we discover God; God’s spirit in creation.

St Marcellin Champagnat believed that God’s spirit was always present and at work in the world, inspiring his mission and giving strength to his purpose. It is this gift of the Spirit that we as Marists want to share with others: the young, our colleagues, the stranger – of bringing people into the joy and freedom of the light of Christ – the source of all light:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

An exciting academic year ahead

As we embark on the 2024 academic year, I challenge our Men of Saints to try something new. Try something difficult. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learning occurs best when we are challenged and must work hard at something. We learn best from our mistakes.  This is often when we get our best results, and this is what a growth mindset is all about. Consider nominating yourself for a leadership position later in the year, do a service activity, try out for a team, learn to play a musical instrument, and make new friends. Don’t be afraid to take good risks. 

Finally, welcome to all those new to Saints. We have a new group of Year 7s, but also a warm welcome to our new students in other year levels, new boarders, new parents and new staff members.  I trust your time with us will be enriching.

Prefects

Before closing, I draw your attention to our new student leaders:  

Thank you for your ongoing support of St Augustine’s. I look forward to welcoming our new families and familiar faces later this month.

Mr Glen Seivers

College Principal