Principal's Post

Dear Parents,

A sense of normality and an action-filled calendar has returned to the College over recent weeks and the last week of classes and transition typified this sensation. The Orientation Camp for Year 7s was postponed when we had Lockdown 3 called for 5 days. Many Year 7 students missed their Year 6 activities in 2020 which included their camp. All other Outdoor Ed Activities and calendared events took place in Term 1 including Mission Action Day so the camp was rescheduled for the end of the year, this week. 

Fr Giancarlo and I attended the changeover day on camp and observed the students enjoying the Outdoor Ed challenges and activities. Fr Giancarlo also celebrated Mass for the staff and students in an outdoor setting on the Rawson Campsite – a spectacularly green and lush environment that was quite idyllic and a perfect way for one camp to conclude and another to commence. As with all our activities over the last two years, staff navigated the appropriate cleaning, separation for groups, adherence to health practices etc while parents anticipated the possibility of an interrupted event because of the cases circulating in the extended community.

It was so pleasing to see the first Camp conclude and the second well underway at the time of writing this newsletter. Thank you to Ms Dee McDonald, Mr Mike Pearson, Mr Jamie Davin and Ms Cherrin Morrissey, Homeroom Teachers and supervising staff who managed the camps and ensured the experience was provided. Thank you to the students who embraced the opportunity and to the parents who demonstrated such trust, knowing the tenuous nature of this adventure.

Our Volleyballers returned to the courts at MSAC for a Victorian-based event replacing the National Championships. Our Year 8 Team won a silver medal and the Year 9 Team won a bronze medal. Congratulations to all the players who competed in the four-day competition and thank you to the coaches and staff who looked after the students during the tournament.

Our Senior Chess students won the National Schools Chess Championship on Tuesday and the Juniors finished a creditable fourth. Congratulations to all the students and coaches. Please check the Chess Report in this newsletter for further details.

The results of these activities including pictures, feature in the newsletter and on the College’s Social Media pages.

The Progress Interviews concluded this week and many students adjusted their subject choices as a result of edifying discussions with Ms Bourne, Deputy Principals or the respective Year Level Coordinators. Hopefully, most of the students and parents found the meetings honest, balanced and most importantly productive as students reviewed their study habits, their distractions, their subject choices and their vocational direction. Our Counsellors and Careers Counsellor, Ms Seremetis has been particularly busy during this time.

After today's final Mass for the year, staff leaving the College were acknowledged and thanked for their service to the community. Some staff are retiring and others are enjoying a change of employment. The students received their copy of the Mazenodian and the staff leaving at the time of production, are featured and acknowledged. I would like to thank the generosity of the editors, the past Oblate Rectors and Ms Tina Giacco for their kind words about my transition from College Principal. 

This edition of the newsletter is the last one for 2021 and my last as Principal. I am sure I will be communicating in the newsletter in the future as I take on a new role with the Oblates supporting Charism and Culture in the Oblate Educational Network. This part-time role over the next two years will enable me to keep connected to the College in areas of staff and student leadership focusing on the Cultural Identity and Charism of not only Mazenod College but the other Colleges in Queensland and Western Australia. I would like to thank the Oblates for the amazing opportunities I have received over the 26 years I have been at the College. Quite often members of the Community, providers, Old Collegians, former staff, former parents, Community Group members, current families, staff and students exalt the character and identity of the College. They are grateful and proud of being associated with the community. That is the prominent and overwhelming feeling I have at the moment; a feeling of gratitude and pride to be part of it all. Thank you to everyone who is part of Mazenod College and the Oblate family for your support over the years.

Wishing you and your families every blessing and joy of Christmas and a restful holiday break. 

Yours sincerely,

Mr Tony Coghlan

Principal