I hope this finds you well.
Summary of Key Points
- Virtue of the Week
- Thought from Archbishop Lefebvre
- National Boys Education Conference
- Student Achievement
- Class of 2023 Graduation
- Functional Fitness Space
- College Captains – 2024
- St Thomas Aquinas Feast Day 2024
This week we commenced exploring the first of three Theological Virtues. This week’s virtue is Faith, which enables one to know God and all that He has revealed.
A thought from Archbishop Lefebvre
People often exaggerate the difference between the interior life of someone in the world and the interior life of a nun, of a priest, or of a missionary. There is only one kind of spiritual life, one way to unite ourselves to God, one kind of justification, only one love of souls, because there is only one Jesus Christ, exemplary cause and model of every man who comes into this world. “He chose us in Himself before the beginning of the world so that we might be holy” (Eph. 1:4). To become other Christs, not on the outside but on the inside, to model our souls on His: there is the ideal for every soul on this earth
Across the initial part of this week, I have been in Sydney attending The National Boys’ Education Conference at The Kings School, North Parramatta. The conference provided educators with a unique opportunity to explore innovative approaches, strategies, and best practices to enhance the learning experiences of boys.
You do not have to look far to see that Boys education and the outcomes derived have gained considerable attention over the course of the last few years, placing a greater emphasis on schools to nurture students’ positive emotions, relationships, engagement, purpose and academic achievement. Although my time was spread across a number of areas, my main focus was character development within adolescent boys.
Whilst there is the need to pause and reflect on the information presented through the lens of our Traditional Catholic Faith, it will be exciting to see the growth of this area within the College over the next 12 months. Amongst others, the College Executive is working with Canadian author Kennedy Hall who published Terror of Demons – Reclaiming Traditional Catholic Masculinity and In Defence of the SSPX.
Congratulations to our Year 5 and 6 students who competed in their respective Basketball and Volleyball fixtures earlier in the week. Our 5/6 Boys Volleyball team is through to the Regional round. Our 5/6 Girls Volleyball and Basketball finished 2nd in their respective pools and our Boys Basketball team finished 6th.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of celebrating with the Graduating Class of 2023. The day commenced with a family breakfast and College assembly. Students, Parents and Staff later gathered at Corpus Christi for Mass which was followed by dinner at Cannibal Creek Winery. Whilst the day was no doubt a welcome distraction for the boys, we will all keep them in our prayers over the next month as they sit their final exams.
Today, our Functional Fitness Space will be installed in the Multi-Purpose Hall. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Parents and Friends committee, staff and students for their support of this project. Over the next fortnight, students will be provided with information relating to the use of this space.
Over the last fortnight, many of our senior students participated in our Student Leadership Selection Process for College Captain and Vice Captain. I would like to thank Mrs Natalia Bustamante, Father Stephens and Mr David Williams for undertaking the interview process and their nominations. The announcement of the Captains will take place at our College Assembly on Monday 16th October.
These interviews highlight that the planning for 2024 is well and truly underway. Along with subject choices, classes and staffing for 2024, we are also continuing to work on our College’s Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027. As a College, we are looking at some bold, yet achievable goals and I look forward to sharing the ways in which we aim to continually improve aspects of our College.
Next year, the College will celebrate St Thomas Aquinas Feast Day on Thursday 7th March with a College Walkathon. All students will walk varying distances and have the opportunity to raise money for the College and an SSPX Mission that will be communicated at a later date! We look forward to what will be a wonderful Feast Day.
God Bless
Kieran O’Dwyer
Principal