From the Executive
“Even when you think you’ve lost everything, you’ve always got hope”.
As Mazenod College embarks on its Visible Wellbeing Programme, it is rather fitting that the first character strength in focus next week is hope. Staff have spent a significant amount of time familiarising themselves with the programme and there is indeed great hope that a focus on visible wellbeing will truly make a difference in the lives of young Mazenod men.
Hope can mean many things, but above all it means being positive about what the future might hold. Hope can sometimes be misconstrued as an emotion that is all about presuming “things will be okay”. However, this is a simplistic approach. Instead, hope involves a combination of taking action, making plans, staying motivated and persevering after a set back. Problems facing young men can be complex, it might involve friendships, academics, sporting dreams or even just the progression of life. Regardless of the challenges our students face, hope is a strength they can develop to help overcome any challenge that is thrown their way.
Junior School Report
Year 7
The newest members of Mazenod College have arrived and settled in nicely to life in secondary school. Their life at the college began with an Orientation Day in December where they went on a tour of the campus, met their teachers and, most importantly, met their cohort for the next six years. Disappointingly, the Year 7 camp was cancelled at the last minute due to the snap lockdown. We are hopeful of a rescheduled date for later in the year as it remains an important way to build friendship and camaraderie.
Year 8
Exciting times are imminent for the Year 8 students with an action packed Outdoor Education Programme. It begins with one of the most popular trips on the calendar, snorkelling at Portsea. Underneath the pier students have an opportunity to observe the local seahorse population, followed by a trip on a boat out to Pope’s Eye, one of Victoria’s famous marine reserves. Their tour finishes with an amazing experience of swimming with seals, stingrays and a plethora of marine life.
Year 9
I am very pleased to announce the inaugural Junior College Captains for 2021. Our Captain will be Kai Russell and our Vice Captain will be Ryan Peiris.
Kai Russell - Junior College Captain
Kai came to Mazenod from Good Shepherd Primary School in 2019. He was Vice-Captain of his Primary School and has been an SRC Representative for the past two years at Mazenod. He has shown marvellous potential as a leader and it was a pleasure to work with him last year as his Year 8 Coordinator and I am looking forward to working with him again. A keen footballer and volleyballer, Kai is a terrific young man, an exemplary role model and a magnificent choice as Captain.
Ryan Peiris - Junior College Vice Captain
Ryan arrived from St Kevin’s Primary School in 2019 and has also served two years as an SRC Representative. He is heavily involved in all aspects of the college, being part of the debating, chess and cricket teams. Like Kai, Ryan is also a leader of great potential who has always put the needs of his peers first. He is a wonderful choice and will form a very positive partnership with Kai.
Mr Matthew Rowland
Dean of Junior School