Trust the past to the Mercy of God, the present to His Love, and the future to His Providence.
-- Saint Augustine
With our Year 11 students concluding the preliminary course and our Year 12 students concluding their high school experience, this quote has great relevance to guiding our young men and their families in what has been, where they are, and where they will go.
On Friday morning our graduating class assembled to share a community breakfast followed by our Graduation Assembly and House meetings. More than 600 guests and Year 7 and 11 students watched as our graduating class was awarded with a certificate acknowledging they had finished their schooling at Saints. I would like to thank the graduating class for the exceptional way they have approached their graduation and to the families and staff who have helped to deliver such a memorable day.
In my address, I referenced a story from the 1968 Olympics when Tanzanian runner, John Stephen Akhwari, limped over the finish line, over an hour after Ethiopian, Mamo Wolde’s winning time of 2:20:26.4 in the Marathon. When asked why he persevered in such punishing circumstances, Akhwari uttered one of the most memorable and inspirational lines in the history of the Games, “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race,” he said. “They sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.” With the pace of our lives it is important to remember that starting something is not enough. It is having the commitment and perseverance to finish things that is going to be a point of difference.
It is this sense of completing something, something hard, challenging and meaningful that helps to build the enduring friendships that not just students, but that parents will also take away from Saints; canteen duties, taxi services to sporting events, early-morning drop-offs or late evening pick-ups for rehearsals, practices and performances. These have all contributed to the sense of community in which we are so proud.
In the coming break, we have been seeking support for a ‘Working Bee’ to help with the many activities that will help us prepare for next term and some of the proposed improvements on the campus. If you can gift your time to supporting the movement and preparation of a number of key learning areas, please register your interest on the College website. If there are any families who have carpentry / building or concreting skills, this would be fabulous help.
Ordination to Priesthood – Fr Nguyen Ngoc Hai Dang OSA
Congratulations to Fr Nguyen Ngoc Hai Dang OSA who was ordained at St James, Coorparoo, Brisbane on Saturday 22 September.
Assistant College Chaplain Fr Francis Belcina OSA, Fr Dang OSA and Peter Nolan, Deputy Principal – Mission and Wellbeing, photographed by College staff member, Les Bobis who also attended the ordination.
P & F Association Mother and Son Pink Breakfast
On Friday 26 October, the annual P & F Association Mother and Son Pink Breakfast will be held in the College Quadrangle from 7:30 am to 8:45 am. I invite you to attend this special event which acknowledges, celebrates and supports the work of the McGrath Breast Care Nurses. Please click on the link for further details.
Summer Uniform
With the term break impending, a brief reminder that students will return in summer uniform.
I hope that all families make some space in the next two weeks to spend time with each other, valuing who they are, what they contribute and enjoy the company and companionship as a family.
Jonathan Byrne
Principal