From the Principal

• PRAYER:  Prayer for the people of New Zealand
• Open Day
• College Blazer Survey
• Major Upcoming Events

Prayer for the People of New Zealand

Last Saturday at Open Day, the College prayed for the victims of the attack in Christchurch and held a minute’s silence. At Monday’s Assembly we prayed together as a school and Tom Jamieson from Year 12 shared with us his reflection as a young boy growing up in Christchurch, just 50 metres from the mosque where this atrocity took place. Tom’s aunt still lives there and was in lock down as events unfolded. Tom’s poignant and profound prayer calls us to prayerful support and I thank Tom for sharing this with the community.  

With all the events these days on the news, sometimes it can be hard to keep up with all of the bad stuff. But on Friday afternoon, after the adrenaline of an HSC English exam, walking into my house it was immensely surreal to hear my own Auntie’s voice, echoing throughout my home. As I found the TV, with flashes of red and white with breaking news, and the scenes from the Mosque which is only 50 metres away from their home.

This home where so many of my childhood memories are, right next to Hagley Park, the park where I played football and ran around with my cousins, is littered with dead bodies.

For such a small and beautiful city only coming out of the end of their worst Earthquake in history, this has been truly devastating.

Let us Pray

God of Peace

We pray for those caught up in the events of New Zealand,

for those killed and wounded, and for those who will mourn.

We pray for the people of the emergency services as they respond,

and for community leaders and faith leaders as they work to heal broken communities.

Soften the hearts of those, who are motivated by hate

and bring peace to your precious people of New Zealand.

In Christ’s name.

Amen.

On our behalf I have written to the Edmund Rice schools in New Zealand - St Thomas of Canterbury Christchurch, St Kevin’s in Oamaru - and to Kavanagh College Dunedin, expressing our deepest sympathy and support. There have been many of our students in classes writing to these schools as well. I share with you below the letter to St Thomas of Canterbury College.

Photo:  A minute's silence was observed at Monday's Assembly when we reflected on the tragic events in Christchurch.

Open Day

What a huge and successful day! I wish to thank everyone for the wonderful Open Day last Saturday and especially the students who were involved at all levels. Our tour guides were amazing, our musicians and dramatists were brilliant and the many students assisting with the displays and demonstrations such as Outdoor Education, Robotics, Science and in activities at Oxford Falls were outstanding.

The day was a great success and a true showcase that was student-centred and led. The displays of work and the involvement of many staff in the preparation for the Open Day both at Chatswood and at Oxford Falls were so very well received by visitors and parents to our school and I pass on the appreciation of our many, many visitors. The Q & A panel in the Principal’s Address were wonderful and I thank Mrs Rosanna Bennett from the P & F and the students - Brayzen Sargent (Year 5), Justin Kup-Ferroth (Year 6), Xavier Hill (Year 5), Oliver Tysoe (Year 12), Connor Williams (Year 7), Andrew Montano (Year 5) and Liam Godfrey (Year 5).

Special thanks to our P & F for running the BBQ and the Canteen and for the many ways they helped to support the visitors and keep the staff nourished.  Thank you also for the donations received for the Project Compassion Gold Coin Collection which raised $617.95.

Once again I thank the College Registrars, Mrs Christine Jennings and Mrs Melissa King, along with our super Maintenance Team for their significant efforts in preparation for the day. I share with you some Open Day photos.

Uniform Survey:  Proposed New College Blazer

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THEIR SAY

This afternoon the College will send every student, parent and staff member a survey regarding a proposed new College Blazer.  Surveys close at 4.00pm on Monday 1 April.

The P&F Association is proposing a change in uniform starting in 2020 for the senior school blazer. Any change would be phased in over two years.

The proposed blazer, including material and colour, was chosen by the P&F Association during a series of meetings. The uniform samples have been created and reviewed by members of the P&F Association as well as staff across the College. The present Blazer cost is $220 and the proposed Blazer cost is $280.  No firm decision has yet been made and the proposed changes will be discussed in due course depending on the outcome of this important survey.

There is a mannequin modelling the proposed blazer in the College foyer. Parents, Staff and Students are welcome to view samples displayed below and to leave feedback and general comments in the emailed survey.  The questions are as follows:

Major Upcoming Events in Term 1, 2019

• 'Great Expectations' Drama Production 2-4 April
• P&F Cocktail Party 5 April

Please refer to the 'Upcoming Events' page of this Newsletter for the 2019 College Calendar and Term Dates. 

Mr John Couani - Principal