PRINCIPAL'S PEN 

What does the word Lent mean?

The study of the origin and history of words offers a fascinating window into how language carries meaning across centuries. Often, the story behind a word reveals layers of history, culture and human experience that deepen our understanding of it.

Lent is a good example. Its roots lie in Old Germanic and Old English words that described the “lengthening of days” as winter slowly gives way to spring. In the northern hemisphere, this Church season unfolded alongside the earth’s quiet awakening. The light lingered a little longer each evening, the ground softened and new life began to stir.

This image provides a helpful way to understand Lent. It is a gradual turning towards Easter, towards light, hope and renewal. Not a sudden change, but a steady and intentional growth.

Traditionally, Lent is associated with sacrifice and almsgiving. For our students, Lent is lived out across the school with great joy and generosity through our MAPS fundraising activities. These small acts of giving help us focus on what truly matters.

Yet Lent also invites another question: not only what might we give up, but also what might we take up?

What habits, attitudes or actions might help us grow into the people we are called to be? Perhaps it is taking up kindness, choosing patience with others or being generous with our time. Perhaps it is taking up courage – standing up for what is right, showing compassion or striving each day to do our best.

For our boys, Lent can be a powerful reminder that growth often happens slowly, through small choices made each day. Like the lengthening days of early spring, these small acts can gradually bring more light into our lives and into the lives of those around us as we continue our journey toward Easter.

Attendance

I began 2026 challenging all our students to make attendance a priority. At the end of last year, 74% of students achieved over 90% attendance. This has improved in that we currently sit at 83.2%.  While there is improvement, and it is good to see that 8 out of 10 students have high attendance – the 18% of boys who are not meeting this benchmark need to improve. 

Attendance is critical to academic success. We consistently see a strong correlation between high attendance and high academic performance.  If we as parents believe something is important and valuable, our children pick up on that. Just as they do the opposite. Every single day at school is valuable! I thank you in advance for your support in making your sons' attendance a priority this year.  

And as parents this responsibility rests directly with you. I look forward to being able to achieve pre-Covid attendance rates of 94%. 

International Women’s Day

St Augustine’s recognised International Women’s Day on Wednesday 8 March. We celebrated all the wonderful women on our staff. St Augustine’s acknowledges and sincerely thanks the professional, important and esteemed contributions female staff play at our school, and we acknowledge all mothers and all women in each boy’s life. 

Click here for a short video of our women on staff which was posted on social media.