From the Principal

On Sunday and Monday of this week, our College hosted the Jesuit and Companions Schools Australia (JACSA) Principals and Rectors meetings. Principals and Rectors from Jesuit and Companion schools from around Australia joined us for a spiritual formation session and Mass on Sunday afternoon, followed by a series of meetings on Monday.  The theme of the formation session was Our story - St Pope John XXIII, where attendees learnt about the John XXIII College story through the lens of our founder, all expertly led by former College Council member Mario Bugna.

It is apt that these significant meetings took place when our College has been particularly focused on the importance of reading and writing during Book Week. In his encyclical ‘Veterum Sapientia’, Pope John XXIII emphasised the intrinsic connection between Catholic faith and the pursuit of knowledge, recognising that fostering a love of reading and writing was essential to nurturing personal holisitic development. Pope John XXIII understood the importance of reading, and the access to a wealth of knowledge reading provides, ultimately generating better engagement with the world’s complexities.

Part of Pope John XXIII’s daily decalogue read:

‘Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.’

In our modern era, characterised by rapid technological advancements and global connectivity, reading and written communication remain essential skills, for it is through the honing of our students’ abilities to articulate their thoughts coherently, that they become proficient at sharing their ideas, collaborating on projects and advocating for their beliefs on a global stage. As students craft well-structured arguments, they also learn to analyse, evaluate and synthesise information effectively and through their journaling, essays and creative writing, learn to examine their thoughts, feelings and experiences, thereby fostering greater emotional intelligence and resilience. 

While greeting students as they arrived on Tuesday morning, I also noticed another feature of College Book Week, the Book Week Bake Off. Students from both the Primary and Secondary schools walked very proudly onto the College grounds holding their culinary masterpieces. Congratulations to everyone who so fully embraced the week and all it had to offer.

Finally, I congratulate the 65 Year 11 students who have nominated for leadership positions on the 2024 Student Representative Council. Particular congratulations are extended to the 14 Year 11 students who, as part of the College Captain election process, so eloquently answered the question: What does it mean to be a leader following in the Ignatian tradition? All were well-researched and passionate, and each was worthy of commendation. If the authenticity of the speeches given are any indication, it augurs well for 2024.

Our thoughts and prayers are also with our Year 12 students during this time of transition. Change is an experience that some embrace and others shy away from. If the quality of the conversations during the Year 12 Principal’s Lunches are anything to go by, the graduating class of 2023 is well placed to make a significant impact, but of course there will be plenty of time for this rightful acknowledgment early in Term 4.

Daniel Mahon

Principal