Principal's Address

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we conclude the final day of Term 1, on Holy Thursday, we pause at a sacred moment in the life of the Church and in the rhythm of our College year.

Holy Thursday commemorates the final night of Jesus’ life, featuring the Last Supper with his disciples where he instituted the Eucharist and priesthood. Jesus washed his disciples' feet as a model of service, gave the "new commandment" to love one another, and was later betrayed by Judas and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Holy Thursday invites us to remember a table, a meal, a washing of feet, and a love that chooses service, relationship and hope, even in the shadow of uncertainty.

The late Pope Francis frequently encouraged Christians to live as people of the resurrection, emphasising the hope and joy of Easter Sunday over the sadness and despair associated with Good Friday. ‘Live like it is Easter Sunday, rather than Good Friday,’ a popular summary of his outlook on life, is a powerful reminder that while life inevitably carries challenge, effort and sacrifice, we are always a people of hope, called to live with joy, trust and confidence in what lies ahead.

This message feels especially fitting as we look back on a rich and vibrant Term 1 at Chevalier College.

Throughout the term, I have spoken to students about getting off the riverbank and jumping into the river, a metaphor for learning, growth and life itself. Rivers do not stand still. They twist, deepen, widen and sometimes narrow, shaped by the terrain they travel. This term, our students have journeyed forward with courage and energy, navigating their learning with increasing confidence, curiosity and purpose.

We have seen that growth everywhere.

On the sporting fields, summer teams have competed with commitment and pride, demonstrating teamwork, resilience and respect. In music rooms and performance spaces, our bands and ensembles have rehearsed with discipline and joy, preparing to share their gifts with others. In theatres and rehearsal halls, students involved in Hadestown have poured heart and soul into their craft, discovering what it means to persevere and create something meaningful together.

In classrooms, students have stretched themselves as thinkers, communicators, and collaborators, through rich learning experiences in the classroom and the many activities outside the classroom such as public speaking, presentations, debates and discussion. These moments matter. They are not just about assessment or performance; they are about young people finding their voice, learning to stand with confidence, and discovering the courage to contribute.

All of this has taken place in a particularly significant year for our community.

In 2026, Chevalier College marks 80 years of education in the Sacred Heart tradition. For eight decades, generations of students have jumped into this same river, formed by faith, shaped by learning, and supported by a community that believes deeply in the dignity and potential of every young person. We are custodians of that story now, and it is heartening to see how vibrantly it continues to unfold.

As we enter the Easter season, we are reminded that resurrection is not just a future promise, it is a way of living. It is choosing hope over fear, gratitude over complaint, generosity over self‑interest. It is believing that growth is possible, that light follows darkness, and that love always has the final word. With what is happening in the world, this way of living is most important.

My thanks to our students for the energy and spirit they bring each day, to our staff for their extraordinary dedication and care, and to our parents and carers for the trust and partnership you place in the College.

As Term 1 concludes and families enter the holiday break, may this Easter be a time of rest, renewal and joy. May we continue to live, not as if we are stuck at Good Friday, but as people shaped by Easter Sunday: hopeful, grateful and confident in what is still to come.

Wishing you a blessed and peaceful Easter.

Greg Miller

Principal