From our Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends

Resilience

I read an article on the weekend about the Western Bulldogs AFL Footballer, Tom Boyd. In 2016 Tom was touted as a possible Norm Smith medallist (best player on the ground) in the Bulldogs fairy-tale AFL grand final win. Tom has since declared, in the public arena that he suffers from depression. In good news Tom is receiving treatment and support and appears, if media reports can be believed, to be in a much better place. What struck me so strongly was his admission in the article that much of his condition can be attributed to his upbringing. In particular he is quoted as saying:

“I think a lack of challenging circumstances in my childhood led me to have a lack of things that require mental resilience as a child.”

I wonder as a parent myself and in my capacity as an educator whether there are times where we do too much for our children, where we try and manufacture conditions for success rather than allow failure. Where we offer excuses rather than issue consequences for poor behaviour. I wonder whether we as a collective might not be inhibiting our students, or our children, in the development of resiliency and a positive mind-set. Or in ensuring we provide an environment where young people can more readily own their mistakes and learn from their mistakes. Martin Seligman, pre-imminent authority on optimism and resilience states that there are three elements to the optimistic (and thus the resilient child):

Permanence – People who are optimistic (and therefore have more resilience) see the effects of bad events as temporary rather than permanent
Pervasiveness – Resilient people don't let setbacks or bad events affect other unrelated areas of their lives. For instance, they would say "I'm not very good at this" rather than "I'm no good at anything"
Personalization – People who have resilience don't blame themselves when bad events occur. Instead, they see other people, or the circumstances, as the cause. For instance, they might say "I didn't get the support I needed to finish that project successfully," rather than "I messed that project up because I can't do my job"

At St. Peter’s College throughout 2018 the pastoral program has focussed on resilience through our Strive and Thrive program. I encourage parents who wish to know more to contact their child’s Learning Advisor or House Leader.

High School Musical – Primary School Performance

This Wednesday our talented High School Musical cast put on a dazzling display to two of our parish primary schools, namely St Agatha’s and St Theresa’s primary schools. This provided the cast with a valuable “tune-up” ahead of performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From all reports, if the tune-up is any indication, we are all in for a wonderful night of entertainment. It is not too late to purchase tickets. Please go to the College web-site for more information on how to book your tickets.

Feast Days – St Maximillian Kolbe and Marian

As part of our Annual Development Plan in 2018, the college has committed to celebrating each of the feast days of our house patron saints with a mass. This locates each of these days within the context of our Catholic Identity. It is an important reminder of our commitment to enrich the faith experiences of our students. It is no coincidence that St Maximillian’s feast day sits alongside the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. St. Maximilian Kolbe was very active in promoting the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Much of his life was strongly influenced by a vision he had of the Virgin Mary when he was 12. The Assumption of Mary signals the end of her earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus.

Students from both Kolbe and Marian house joined together for a celebratory mass on each campus to give thanks for the remarkable dedication to Christ and to the wider Church.

Mr Chris Black

Principal