From the Executive

This week saw the conclusion of the VCE examinations. For the past three weeks, students have been cramming in subjects as diverse as Specialist Maths to English Language, Drama to Studio Arts, Chemistry to VET Furnishing and Accounting to Psychology. That we even had examinations this year was amazing and with the COVID 19 crisis, it was a real possibility that in 2020 these might well be cancelled. When the go-ahead from the Government came through that exams could proceed, the college had a myriad of administrative boxes to tick. Social distancing had to be observed, masks had to be worn, desks set out with at least a 1.5 m radius, furniture sanitised after each session and invigilators instructed on how to conduct the exams sensitive to the extra pressures that our young men were under.

There are far too many college staff to thank for the smooth progression of this activity, but Tony Rolfe, Stefania Sepe, Marc Johnson, Merry De La Zilwa and all the teams of people working with them deserve a most sincere thank you.  Along with Mr Terry Sharp and Mrs Mary Pegram (the Chief Supervisors), the IT department and the college nurses, we cared for our students most diligently during this period (and even survived a false fire evacuation and the visit of two MFB brigades)!

The main message I would like to share this week is a reflection on the theme of “Hope”. The Age this week (Monday 30th November) had an excellent article on the baristas of Melbourne. In the article “Cups of Kindness” several coffee makers shared their memories of the positivity that was created in serving a simple cup of coffee to customers who were coping with isolation, stress, the uncertainties faced by trying to cope with an unknown sinister virus and those grieving because they lost a loved one in aged care. These men and women gave the people of Melbourne a shoulder to cry on, a sympathetic ear and a feeling of hope to get through the dark days of lockdown.

Our graduating students, despite a stressful, interrupted academic year, approached their recent exams with optimism, showing the capacity to give a good account of themselves, notwithstanding the difficulties they had all endured. They have all made individual plans for the different pathways that lie ahead and hopefully will achieve the means to fulfil their vocational dreams.

As a Church, we are celebrating the mystery of Advent - a time of preparation for the coming our Lord Jesus. It too is a time of Hope - a deeper Hope where we look for a world that is new and different. Where kindness, compassion and empathy abound. A time where God’s kingdom is truly established; in its simplest terms a time when goodness can be allowed to flourish and men and women everywhere are valued and treated justly. Finally, it is a time where all of us come to a new appreciation of our environment and understand the responsibilities we all share as stewards of the world in which we live.

To conclude then, on behalf of all the staff can I wish each member of our college family a safe, peaceful and restful Christmas full of God’s generous blessings. To those who are having their first Christmas without a loved one, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers in a special way at this time.

Kind regards,

Mr Mark Rolfe

Dean of Curriculum