John XXIII College Newsletter

From the Principal

The College hosted an excellent event last night to launch our ‘academic in residence’, 

Fr Frank Brennan’s new book about his father, former Australian High Court Chief Justice Sir Gerard Brennan. The book was officially launched by Alumnus the Hon. Chief Justice Peter Quinlan SC (the 14th Chief Justice of WA), followed by responses from 

Alumna Kate Alvarez and Fred Chaney AO (former WA Senator from 1974 to 1990 and House of Representatives member to 1993). The evening was expertly compared by Alumna and WA Magistrate, Samantha Martella. Some of our Year 12 students were also in attendance last night and, as such, were able to benefit from meeting so many experts in the legal profession.

 

This weekend the College Council and College Executive will participate in the annual College Council Retreat. Each year, the Council and Executive engage in spiritual formation, and this year, before the commencement of the retreat, Council sub-committee members of Finance and Risk and Property and Planning will join the College Council to discuss our current College strategy, helping to inform future actions of each committee next year.

 

Following our strategic session this afternoon, all Council, sub-committee members and College Executive will participate in a spiritual formation session run by Fr Frank Brennan SJ. During this session, which will be the first of two, participants will be invited to reflect on the core identity of the College and the challenges and opportunities of living out our College motto, Seek Justice, within the context of Catholic education, Ignatian spirituality and an increasingly secular society.

 

During Saturday’s program, College Council and Executive will again be led by Fr Frank in a session of dialogue and discernment centred on the following questions:

 

  • What does it mean to Seek Justice in 2025?

     

  • How is this challenge lived out through the College’s governance, leadership and community life?

     

  • What tensions, invitations or shifts do we need to be attentive to as we move towards our 50th year?

 

The final session of our retreat will involve the visioning of our College’s Reconciliation Action Plan, followed by the Celebration of the Eucharist. In anticipation of what will no doubt be an excellent retreat, I extend my thanks to all College Council, Finance and Risk, Property and Planning and College Executive members for their generous engagement in the retreat and for embracing so wholeheartedly their particular responsibilities, ensuring the good governance of our College. 

 

 

Daniel Mahon

Principal