Faculty News

VCE

This week the senior VCE classes spent Monday and Tuesday in retreat across three different regional locations. At 8.15 am busses set off for Safety Beach, Lysterfield and Yellingo so that the students could experience some time away from the classroom and their books and experience periods of reflection, discussion, meditation and prayer.

The theme of the retreat was based around the mantra “Know who you are in the eyes of Christ” – one of the challenges that Eugene de Mazenod posed to his community and to the people that he served. Faithful to this call, the retreat was designed to give our young men an opportunity to reflect on the challenges of transitioning from childhood to manhood and what it means to be a man in the 2020s. The students were then re-introduced to the concept of respectful relationships and in particular the theme of CONSENT – certainly, a topic drawing a lot of airplay in the media presently.

The next sessions dealt with relationships with family, friends and God and culminated in a most moving and powerful gathering where the Year 12 students were presented with a handwritten letter from their parents which articulated the hopes, dreams and esteem that the young men were held in by their mothers and fathers. It was truly a privileged moment for the staff present to witness the power that these letters held for each student and the obvious love and care that was disclosed in the pages!

The next day the students had an opportunity to respond to these words with a letter of their own, and again it was great to observe the deep thoughts and consider the young men took in formulating their missives.

Finally, we celebrated a paraliturgy that summarised all the main themes of the retreat and culminated in the students signing a cross that will be blessed and displayed in the year 12 area. This signing was, to them, a tangible symbol demonstrating the belief that although this year, and also life beyond Mazenod, will have many trials and tribulations, there is a genuine belief that Christ our saviour and friend will walk with them every step of the way and will help them when things get difficult.  Also, that there is a confidence that Christ is with the students in these darker moments of their lives by his divine spirit, which permeates you - his parents, his friends, the college staff members and the larger Christian community of which your son belongs to.

So what’s all this got to do with VCE?

At Mazenod, we firmly believe that education is more than striving for an ATAR or university course! It is more about helping you as parents prepare and form your sons for life beyond these walls. It is assisting him to grow in resilience, to handle the curve balls that life will throw at him, to develop skills in being a voice for the helpless and recognising injustice where it exists. We want our young men to be men of hope, not despair. It is about trying to help your son be the best husband that he can be and a father whose his children are proud to love. Finally, it is about helping him recognise and believe that he is a precious being who is loved unconditionally by God.

I think I can confidently say that the retreat was a great success and much thanks must go to the Religious Education team, the Oblate priests and the staff who planned and administered it.

God bless,

Mr Mark Rolfe

VCE Admin & Exam Coordinator