From the Rector

Dear Mazenod Community,

On behalf of the Oblate Community, I sincerely wish you all a well-deserved break with your family if that is available to you. I pray that there are opportunities for family time and that everyone remains safe.

National Farmers Federation and Mazenod College

Some of you may not now that Mazend College became the first school in Western Australia to be a member of the National Farmers Association. The reason that we joined was to support farmers but also to more fully understand some of the issues facing our rural communities in these times.

Over the course of the year, I hope to share with you some of the campaigns and topics that the Federation is promoting such as the ban on the live sheep trade, climate policies and their impact, free trade associations, wellbeing initiatives and safety.

As a Boarding school, we hold a unique responsibility of providing educational options for our rural West Australians and being aware of the issues that our community faces is an important way to be connected and also leverage support where we can.

As we head toward the 60th anniversary of the Colleges we hope to share some of the many initiatives that link us with the communities we serve.

ACC Athletics Carnival

Last week I had the genuine joy of being present as the athletics team gradually came to a different self-belief about themselves. With some disrupted preparation, injuries and a previous promotion/relegation cycle, the team had the goal of not being relegated from Division A and retaining their place.

Early results indicated that something truly special was starting to occur. Each student seemed to find a way to challenge for one more position, do a personal best or encourage their fellow teammates.

This continued throughout the morning and a new mindset emerged that had their eyes and minds head in a different direction. What grew within them was belief and self-confidence in their God-given talents and this translated into results and points.

The ultimate result of the day was that the boys had secured a second spot on the ladder, two points behind the 20+ year champions of Sacred Heart College. The boys and coaches and parents and volunteers can be rightfully proud of the mindset shift and also their results, but it left them hungry for more with a realization that with some more targeted preparation and mindset work, they are a genuine contender. Whatever the results of the future, it was particularly joyful to see this mind-shift of expectations.

Farewell and Thanks to Fr Bill Ousley OMI

This week we welcomed Fr Christian Fini OMI who was undertaking a pastoral visitation of Western Australia and it also coincided with the conclusion of Fr Bill’s time with the Mazenod community.

We give thanks to God for Fr Bill’s ministry here at Mazenod which was marked with encouragement, hard work, support, presence and genuine care. Fr Bill has been asked to assist in Brisbane until the end of the year and will find out his new appointment in November. On behalf of the Oblate community, I give thanks to God for Fr Bill’s service and ministry here.

Take care and God Bless for the term holidays.

Fr Michael Twigg OMI