PRINCIPAL'S PEN 

Earlier this year I was in Mittagong at a Marist Schools Australia conference. While there I had the good fortunate to listen to a homily from a former school chaplain, Father Gary Perritt. I thought the story he told was well worth repeating at yesterday's Father’s Day Assembly as it showcased the difference a good Marist man can make.

“On 25th January I watched the Australian of the year ceremony. During the broadcast it was announced that 63-year-old Neal Daniher was the 2025 recipient. Neale was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2013. 

He was named Australian of the Year for his work advocating for a cure for the disease. He is a former Essendon AFL player and an old boy of Assumption College, a Marist school in country Victoria. The school honoured Neale by naming a sports pavilion after him in 2022. 

His wife said of him “When Neale was diagnosed, he was told to just tick off his bucket list. But the type of person that he is, he decided that he wanted to do something with the time he had left.”

He became the co-founder of FightMND, a charity that has raised and invested over $115- million into medical research to find a cure for motor neurone disease. 

In his acceptance speech Neale said he wanted to do something for others because “Having no hope is devastating”.

Neale Daniher's life speaks volumes about what it truly means to live with hope and purpose.

This year’s Marist theme: Pilgrims of Hope – Look Beyond is  a powerful reminder that we are all invited to walk through life not simply speaking about hope, but living it. 

As we continue through the school year, let’s take inspiration from Neale’s example. Let us walk as pilgrims of hope – not just in words, but in how we treat one another, in how we serve and in how we lead.

Together, may we be a community that chooses purpose over comfort, service over self, and hope over despair. If you wish to support FIGHTMND please click here.

Feast of the Assumption 

The feast of the Assumption was celebrated with a beautiful Mass at St Monica’s Cathedral on Thursday 14 August.

Our students were in full voice, and the singing and reverence were exceptional. I particularly thank Father George for presiding over the Mass and Deacon Tony Moore for his passionate and inspiring homily asking us to open our hearts to Mary.

95th anniversary celebrations

Close to 200 people gathered at Boardwalk Social on Saturday 16 August to celebrate 95 years of St Augustine’s. Hosted by the Old Boys Committee, the event had three purposes:  re-engage alumni, prepare for our centenary celebrations in 2030 and reconnect past students to the College.

Many stories were shared and there were tales of years gone by about incredible reunions. Among the guests were five brothers as well as four brothers who attended with their 93-year-old father.

I thank the Old Boys Committee who organised and ran the event, including Chair Angelo Caltabiano (Class of ’83), our Alumni Engagement Officer and staff member Thomas Jones (’86), as well as Jeff Rufino ('01), Ken Harris (’73), Brad Hutchinson (’91), and John Brimstone (’98)

Dr Judi Newman

One goal at St Augustine’s this year is to look at how we teach. A key focus is understanding the latest research on how the brain of teenage boys operates, so we can adapt our teaching practices accordingly.

Through our partnership with CQU, we secured a day with leading neurologist Dr Judi Newman. She conducted workshops with staff about the teenage brain and gave us teaching strategies that best work with boys. 

Dr Newman then spoke to around 40 parents and carers later that day to enhance their understanding of the male teenage brain. 

She was well received, and we will continue to explore how we teach using an evidence-based neurological approach. Click on the image below if you'd like to purchase Dr Judi's latest book.

Catholic Education Conference Cairns

A historic week for the Cairns Diocese was the hosting of the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference. This is the first time that this triennial event has been held outside a capital city. The conference attracted more than 1,400 delegates to the Cairns Convention Centre for three days of learning, discussion and collaboration.

One highlight was the Mass on Wednesday, concelebrated by Bishop Joe Caddy with many other Australian bishops, and priests of the Diocese of Cairns.

Marists were well represented with former Saints principal, Br Michael Green, presenting at the conference along with Br Tony Leon and Br Michael Callaghan.

The Three Violets Awards

At yesterday's Father’s Day Assembly, three Year 11 students were presented with these awards: Lachlan Turner was recognised for his humility, Mason Ryan for his modesty and Jonathan O'Farrell for his simplicity. These awards are about doing good quietly. Not for gain, not so someone else notices, but because it is the right thing to do. These values are at the heart of what it means to be Marist, and they encapsulate Marcellin Champagnat's approach to being a person of character. He urged his followers to “do good quietly”. 

Click on the image to view the Father's Day Assembly.

You can find more Father's Day Assembly photos through the Parent Portal.