PRINCIPAL'S PEN 

We need to fail more

You will no doubt be surprised to read my opening words, but they are true. Saints’ teacher Mr Lee Wilson recently shared a thought-provoking passage with me from Beyond the Mountain, a book by mountaineer Steve House: "Success, when achieved, is deceptive, for there lies closure, praise, achievement. Failure is the most valuable fruit, born as it is from the gnarled vine of process."

At our annual Awards Night on 15 November we celebrated our students' many remarkable academic, cultural and sporting achievements of 2024. But let’s also remember that success alone isn’t the whole story. As Mr House notes, true growth comes when we own our shortcomings, learn from them and leverage the strengths gained by acknowledging our mistakes. 

Steven Bartlett, author of The Diary of a CEO echoes these sentiments, emphasising that failure is essential for growth. He sees it as a necessary step in the process of learning and innovation. Failure, even adversity, are not new ideas; Shakespeare wrote in As You Like It, “Sweet are the uses of adversity”, capturing how resilience is built through trials and challenges.

It is easy to be seduced by success, by accolades and praise. We’ve had many outstanding moments this year – the College musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, exceptional NAPLAN results and our Years 7-9 cricket team winning the 2024 Queensland Championship to name a few. These are all incredible achievements.

Yet, while we rightly celebrate these successes, I want to acknowledge another story – the story of the hard work behind them. Many boys have put in extraordinary effort and dedication, sometimes without recognition, and this quiet perseverance deserves admiration. Ultimately, true success lies not only in accolades but in the grit and growth of facing failure and adversity. 

As we wrap up Term 4, let’s continue to embrace failure as an opportunity to learn, to grow and to become better.

NAPLAN results

Our students have again shown commitment to academic excellence by achieving results that surpass national, Queensland and our diocese's averages. As mentioned above, while this is a success story, it is not the most valuable fruit. 

While acknowledging this success, we also recognise the invaluable role of setbacks in learning. Each challenge and missed goal is a chance to build resilience, deepen understanding and foster a growth mindset in our students. By embracing both achievement and failure as learning opportunities, we create an environment where students can take risks, learn from mistakes and ultimately grow stronger academically.

Farewell Mr Dixon

As many of you would be aware, Mr Bill Dixon is hanging up the boots after over a decade as the Executive Director of Catholic Education Cairns. Bill has been a great supporter of St Augustine’s and Marist education in our diocese. 

Several weeks ago, I attended the Marist Schools Queensland regional dinner, an annual event where we recognise St Augustine’s staff for their service. Bill Dixon was invited by Marist Schools Australia to that dinner.

Giving the recognition and vote of thanks for Bill was Professor Brother David Hall – who, interestingly, acted as principal at St Augustine’s for six months in 2008. Br David said the Diocese of Cairns has been remarkably successful in the last decade, and that Bill’s leadership presents as practical and intelligent, and he can embrace the skills of the people around him. Br David finished by saying that Catholic education stands firm due to people like Bill.

I felt this tribute was special as it came from someone who understands the landscape of Catholic education, not just in our school, but across Australia. From a St Augustine’s perspective, Bill has been exceptionally supportive in allowing us to promote a Marist spirituality that informs the way we educate. Thank you for all you have done for our schools and the diocese. 

A Christmas Message

As we approach the Christmas season, we find ourselves reflecting on a year filled with growth, resilience and a shared commitment to nurturing strong minds and gentle hearts. This season of giving and gratitude reminds us of the joy that comes from community and the importance of supporting one another.

We are deeply thankful for the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the unwavering support of our families. Together, we have created a learning environment that values not only academic achievements but also kindness, empathy and integrity.

This Christmas may each of you find peace, joy and the chance to relax with loved ones. Whether you're spending this time close to home or traveling afar, we wish you a safe and restful holiday, filled with warmth and celebration.

Thank you for being a part of our family throughout 2024. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!