From the Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Friends of St Norbert College,

EARLIER this week we hosted a very special College assembly dedicated entirely to NAIDOC0 week and this year’s theme Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! 

We were blessed with the presence of Mr Kevin Bynder, a proud Whadjuk-Yuet-Ballardong man and prominent local and international Aboriginal artist. Mr Bynder spoke wonderfully of his journey and inspired our students to use their God-given skills, talents and abilities to passionately pursue their dreams.

In my address to the College, I used the following examples to illustrate how the meaning of this year’s theme, Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! I felt has been demonstrated, by leaders in our national and international community;

• It is surprising to think that our current Australian constitution in the 21st century, makes no reference to indigenous people, the oldest living culture. It is only now that under the current Federal government, our Prime Minister is seeking a referendum to make changes to the constitution – to recognise indigenous minorities in the constitution and require governments to consult Aboriginal people on decisions that impact their lives. 
• Our nation was saddened to hear of the passing of much admired and loved, iconic Aboriginal music artist Archie Roach over the weekend. Aboriginal tradition often forbids the use of an Aboriginal person’s name and image once passed, but Archie Roach’s family have given permission for him to be remembered in name and nature. His career spanned from 1989 – 2021 and included many hits that highlighted the plight of Aboriginal people in Australia. Archie’s first hit was titled "Took the Children Away", which we listened to at the assembly. It is a song that told the story of the Stolen Generations and his own experience of being forcibly removed from his family.

Archie Roach stood up and gave a voice to the stories of many Aboriginal people, and he continued to offer comfort and healing in his words and through his music.

• Pope Francis has recently returned from a trip to Canada, where he apologized on multiple occasions for the abuse that Indigenous children suffered at Catholic-run residential schools in that country. Whilst it is difficult for Pope Francis to get up and stand up, he showed up in Canada to say sorry and to be present with the indigenous people there.

As a Christian community, we need to look no further than our Mother Mary – the mother of our God, who supported her son Jesus through persecution and who then boldly got up, stood up and showed up, at the foot of the cross as He suffered indignity and injustice.

Our assembly was a wonderful way to acknowledge our Aboriginal students, staff and families and to thank them for enhancing our community here at St Norbert College.

Class of 2021 Presentation

A further delight this week, was to be able to present the Year 12/2021 Presentation Night awards to those recipients able to attend a special afternoon gathering. Thank you to those students and their families who attended, it was lovely to welcome you all back and to hear of the amazing things being done in post-school lives.

Another special moment this week was to welcome Miss Michelle Vaughan, who joined our English Learning Area from MacKillop Catholic College in Busselton. We are delighted that Miss Vaughan has joined us and we hope that she enjoys her time in our community.

God bless.

Mr S Harvey

(Principal)