Deputy Principal

Feast of the Assumption

On Tuesday 15 August we celebrated Mass together the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. It is timely to remember and highlight the important role that Mary has within our faith. She exemplified a loving mother who had to endure the death of her son. This reminds us of the qualities of not only of a loving mother but of the women in our lives and the important role they play. In an all-boys setting the role of female staff are integral in the journey of shaping and developing our boys into young men.

Quality is a Habit

As the English Premier League kicked off last weekend there has been much chatter in the school yard with regards to teams and player transfers. I recently came across an article on the culture instilled by Pep Guardiola the Manchester City Coach, who instils into his players that 'Quality is a habit'. Some of the guiding principles which have made him renown amongst those who play for him include;

• Everyday Excellence
• Competitive Environment
• Accountability
• Culture of Improvement
• Cohesion and Understanding
• Player Development
• Resilience

Many of these principles can be applied to the classroom setting on how we approach our work. Many argue that Pep is the greatest modern coach, with his teams being highly successful. These accolades do not come by chance, there are reasons and methodologies behind them. I am convinced at the above principles are already being adopted by students who receive positive results. In order to continue to improve one should be always mindful of the elements and attitudes which support this process.

Uniform Requirements

As I have stated previously - our uniform is more than a uniform. It symbolises who we are and what we stand for. It represents all those who have gone before us and connects us to something far greater than ourselves. Being organised for the day ahead and the requirements which come with this is an important life skill. Boys who choose one uniform over another because it is easier or more comfortable is not an attitude which will be serve you well within the workforce. As we know things aren’t always easy and comfortable and we must adapt and learn to cope through a variety of conditions. The use of black runners with the formal uniform is an example of this mentality. Students who require new formal shoes need to organise a timeline for this to take place with PC Teachers and parents/carers. We will have a number of important formal events throughout the remainder of the year, so I encourage all students to prioritise their uniform requirements.