Mission & Identity

Happy indeed is the man

who follows not the counsel of the wicked;

nor lingers in the way of sinners

nor sits in the company of scorners,

but whose delight is the law of the Lord

and who ponders his law day and night.

(Psalm 1)

True happiness comes from avoiding negative influences and instead, finding joy and guidance in the teachings of the Lord. By constantly reflecting on these teachings, a person can lead a more fulfilling and righteous life. 

This week we witnessed the joy that comes with success, it was great to see outstanding academic excellence rewarded. Each of the award winners are great examples of what can be achieved with a commitment to learning, resilience, curiosity, passions and ethical conduct. Congratulations to each of them!

Last week the College Mission team met for the first time, and we are well underway in the preparations for the celebration of St Patrick’s Day on Monday, 17 March. We are planning a day full of house-based activities including our much-anticipated house singing competition! The day will begin with Mass and our traditional College assembly where our Year 12 boys will receive their badges.

The Mission team also spent some time reflecting on the recently released updated version of the EREA touchstones. In particular we looked closely at Liberating Education and Gospel Spirituality. There was great discussion surrounding the final point of the Liberating Education document: ‘As a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition we commit to learning, unlearning and relearning’. 

This seems to indicate that we need to be prepared to accept new directions and also accept that sometimes, the way that we have done and taught things in the past may, although very good, may have been superseded by a new direction. This is also the case with the way in which we undertake the education of our First Nations students. Learning, unlearning and relearning will constantly improve their educational outcomes.

The team also discussed the second touchstone, that of Gospel Spirituality. The group thought that while the majority of the aspirations expressed in the document were givens if we are to be a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition, the final two should be something that we aspire to as a College: ‘Walking alongside First Nations peoples, committed to reconciliation and honouring First Nations Spirituality.’ 

This is something that we do very well as a College, both though our vibrant boarding community and our relationship with Clontarf. However, are we engaging in inter-faith dialogue, honouring the sacredness lived by those from other religious traditions? It is a question worth pondering. We certainly encounter other faiths in our Religious Education Curriculum, but are we doing more in the community to foster these relationships?

Last week we sent home the documentation for each of our families to complete a survey on behalf of KU Leuven. The Enhancing Catholic Schools Identity project conduct this survey every five years at Catholic schools throughout the Ballarat Diocese. The survey will be completed by our staff, students and families. The results of the survey will give us a snapshot in time as to where we sit as a Catholic school in the Ballarat Diocese. It would be wonderful if each of our families could take the time to complete the survey.

Next Thursday, at 1.50pm, will see the return of our weekly College Masses. We will be led by our College Chaplain, Father Eladio Lizada. All are very welcome to attend.

God Bless you all.