Principal's Address

Dear Chevalier Community,

I trust this message finds you well as we conclude another wonderful term in the life of Chevalier College.  I am sure you will agree that many of the articles in this edition of Chev News reflect a community which has experienced many heart-centred and joy-filled moments over the last ten weeks.

One of these moments was this week's graduation ceremony for Year 12, 2023. It was an honour to witness the rite of passage moments for these students, as they reached a milestone in their high school education. 

As I said at the ceremony, at the beginning of the year I asked Year 12 what their legacy would be.  As we come to the end of their schooling year, the year group will be remembered as the cohort who first engaged with flexible attendance for periods 1 and 5, otherwise known as 'the Arabella initiative’.  They designed and developed our student-led Instagram page, Chev Today, which, through your support, achieved phenomenal growth over its first twelve months.  Also, the way they organised and ran student-led College assemblies has set a very high benchmark for younger year groups. 

They were the group who continued the ongoing excellence of our Chevalier musicals with the production, 'Beautiful', and they led a group of Firsts sports teams who performed above and beyond expectation at the inaugural Winterfest. Considering these wonderful achievements, I conclude that the Year 12 legacy will be that they were absolutely true to their 2023 theme: “In unity we create MSC Community.” 

Year 12, 2023 are a beacon of hope for the future.  The challenges they have faced, both in and out of the classroom, have equipped them with skills and capabilities that are transferable to our rapidly-changing world.  Our whole school community wishes them well as they navigate these coming weeks of study and HSC examinations. 

Farewell to Father John Franzmann

This term we said goodbye to Father John Franzmann MSC who has left the College which he called 'home' for nearly fifty years. We had a wonderful tribute and farewell to him in front of the whole school and a group of parents. 

The staff also farewelled and honoured Father John's forty years of extraordinary service to Chevalier College and the significant impact he has had on students, families and staff.

Father John has always been involved with education. His MSC story dates back to when he attended school at Downlands College in Toowoomba. He has been a Missionary of the Sacred Heart for sixty-five years and a priest for fifty-eight years. After teaching at other schools, Fr John moved to Chevalier where he taught mathematics, coached basketball, and was an avid observer of many rugby games. He was Principal of Chevalier College from 1975-1980 and was instrumental in the College moving to co-education and the construction of the McGrath Hall.

We wish Father John, 'Franz', all the very best as he takes up residence at MSC in Kensington and re-ignites friendships.

He will be greatly missed.