Principal's Message
Welcome back to third term
Let us hope it is a happy and productive one for all. For this newsletter, I have included a talk given at the recent assemblies.
THE KEY
Sometimes we need a lens to look through to have a common set of beliefs
At an auction in London just on 18 months ago an old rusty key, about 5 centimetres long, sold for close to 90,000 British Pounds. This is equivalent to around $160,000 Australian dollars. The key has almost no value in terms of its metal. It is not gold, silver or of any other rare type.
Its value lies in its history. It is the key that many believe would have saved the Titanic from sinking into the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. The Titanic, nicknamed the unsinkable ship by the Press before it sailed, left Southampton with 2244 people on board. After striking an iceberg and sinking, 1500 passengers and crew died.
Second Officer David Blair was due to be on the Titanic in April 1912 and was one of many crew who spent weeks on board preparing this mammoth ship to sail. One week before departure he was told he was being replaced. Disappointed, he left the ship with his possessions, including a small innocuous key that he forgot was in his pocket.
On the night the Titanic was in heavy fog amongst icebergs on the Atlantic the person in the crow’s nest (that large ladder like structure at the front of the ship) was Frederick Fleet. He reached forward into the locker that contained the binoculars that were commonly used to give better sight but the metal cupboard was locked and unable to be opened.
He was only able to use his own sight. Ironically, Frederick Fleet was one of the few survivors and later stated that if he had the binoculars he could have issued a much earlier warning.
Of course the key to the locker was still in David Blair’s pocket.
Sometimes we need a lens to look through to have a common set of beliefs
For us, our metaphorical “set of binoculars” are in our Mission and Vision. The way in which we agree to live and work with one another at our College. This helps us to “steer” in the right direction.
You may be aware that there has been a good deal of work done recently by College leaders, staff, some parents and the Board on our own Mission and Vision Statements. There will be more to come on this.
Across the world, Lasallian schools each have their own motto. Ours is Per Vias Rectas, By Right Paths. Beyond this, Lasallian schools are linked by a set of Guiding Principles. Those five Principles for us are:
God is our Focus. We are Catholic College where we are unafraid to talk about our relationship with God and what it means to us. It also means that we see God in other people. Our Vinnies Winter Appeal helps us to answer St John Baptist de la Salle’s legacy in always trying to look after:
the least, the lost and the last
Brothers and Sisters to each another. Our relationship with each other in this Community and with those who are most in need beyond our gates, are the expression of Christ’s love for one another. There are always going to be times when a student, staff member or family needs particular support. In fact every one of us fits into that category at some stage in our journey.
And there are those sisters and brothers beyond our shores, in places like India and Thailand, that we seek support in our own small way. Well done to our own team of students and staff who have just returned from Thailand where they sought to make a difference.
Always be honest. The most admired people are always those who can admit their faults, say sorry and move on. Real forgiveness can be life changing.
Respect for self, others and property. The one factor you can control is yourself, the way you speak and the way you act. You are like a mirror, if you respect people you are with, you will receive it back in kind.
Achievement. This is always related to best effort. There are a number of students who will today be recognised for their wonderful efforts with their studies last semester. Every boy deserves our congratulations. All of us are capable.
I wish you every blessing with the term to come. Take up every opportunity available and encourage others to do likewise.
Let us continue to Live by Right Paths, Per Vias Rectas
John Finn
Principal