Principal's Report 

Embrace curiosity. Explore the Unknown. Be Surprised.

How apt has the theme chosen for our 2021 school year turned out to be? 

We are continually exploring the unknown and being surprised as our government leaders struggle to find a way through an experience that is beyond living memory. The urgency with which major decisions need to be made so that we are all as safe as possible, whilst trying to keep some resemblance of daily life happening, is placing enormous pressure on those people. Irrespective of what we think of the decisions made, we should pause and spare a thought for them as they cope with this enormous stress.

Our Catholic tradition has long expressed its commitment to what is best for the common good. In theological terms the common good is defined in Pope John XXIII’s encyclical Materet Magistra (On Christianity and Social Progress) as “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily.”

We face this challenge of balancing the needs of individuals with the needs of groups in many different areas of our world and societies. It is good to pause and empathise with our politicians as they grapple with this challenge at the National and State levels. 

It is also perhaps timely to pause and reflect on how we experience this challenge in our daily lives.

How does the way I work in and with my school community benefit both the individuals in that community and the community as a whole?

How does the way I live and work in and with my local community, my club(s), my team(s) benefit both the group and the individual?

If we take time to reflect on 2021 thus far, we can easily find times when we have explored the unknown and been surprised.

I would also hope that we can find times of Wonder – our Kildare Ministries core value focus for 2021. Times that we can celebrate with joy and gratitude.

As the year progresses, I find myself celebrating the way in which our community is coping so well with the unknown and the surprises that 2021 has brought to us. Sure, there are people in our community doing it tough. However, I have observed many, many examples of those people being supported and helped through the tough times, and I would like to acknowledge and celebrate those joys. 

I extend my gratitude to everyone who is playing their part in helping both our individuals and our group to thrive. Keep up the good work.

Thank you and God bless.

Michael Delaney

Principal.