From the Principal

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

While we acknowledge the end of one year and the period of rest and relaxation prior to the commencement of the next, it is important to maintain a focus on the joy and happiness of Christmas. Sadly, the focus for many, especially in the print and electronic media, is of the busyness of this time and how we can be left feeling overwhelmed, sad, frustrated and anxious. Unfortunately, it is often the case that the real potential of this time is not realised.

A recent television advertisement depicted a mother and father ‘training’ for Christmas by timing each other pushing a shopping trolley. The message that our training for Christmas is physical in preparation for the tiresome and hectic nature of Christmas shopping, is missing the real meaning of this time. Our training is all year round, our training is in fact recognising and sharing with each other, the love and joy of humanity. The real gifts are not material, but the ultimate gift we have received is Jesus and our role is to model the love that he showed us.

It is important at the end of the school year to acknowledge the staff who are departing our College and so it is with congratulations that I recognise the wonderful contributions of Mr Donald Nield and Dr Killian O’Reilly on the occasion of their retirements. Mr Nield and Dr O’Reilly served our College community for 18 years and 22 years respectively. We wish them both well in their retirement and I am sure that their familiar faces will be present on various occasions in the years to come.

We also farewell Mr Scott Hodgen who leaves to take up an appointment at Lumen Christi College after 11 years at St Norbert College. Mr Hodgen and his family are much-loved members of our community and will be sadly missed but not lost entirely.

Our thanks and best wishes are extended also to Miss Michelle Hyland after five years with us, Miss Rebecca Humphry for her four years of service and Mr Michael Roche, Miss Justyna Jankowski, Miss Aleisha Crump and Mrs Delia Rawlings who were with us for 2018. We are most appreciative of their efforts and contributions during those times.

I thank all staff and students for their hard work, efforts and contributions this year to again make St Norbert College the amazing community that it is.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish our very best to those students and families not returning in 2019. We thank them for the support and cooperation forged between the College and home and wish them well in the future.

This time of the year is one of joy, wonder and happiness for Christians the world over. From the moment of Mary’s Immaculate Conception to the birth of Jesus, we are reminded of the challenges and barriers that we inevitably have to meet in our lives. More importantly, we reflect that God’s love for us is our strength in overcoming these obstacles.

I would like to wish all of our students, staff and families, the blessings of a happy and holy Christmas and a safe return in 2019. May God’s blessings of peace and love characterise your festive season.

“Never give up on the people you love.

Never give up on being happy.

BECAUSE LIFE IS AN INCREDIBLE SHOW.”

- Pope Francis -

God Bless.

Mr S Harvey (Principal)