This week has given me a number of opportunities to observe the talent in our school. We are not a place where the sundial is in the shade, though importantly nor is St Augustine’s College a place where only the ‘best’ are acknowledged. Perseverance and commitment are clear parts of our culture. The signs of a year ending are visible, while perhaps not as apparent with the weather; there were fewer students in the canteen lines and an air of readiness amongst students and staff. On Wednesday, the College recognised the breadth of student achievement and contribution across Years 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Efforts in academic achievement and improvement, Augustinian service, music, and sporting achievement were awarded. Over 100 students were acknowledged in the areas of academics, commitment to studies, academic improvement, service and school spirit. They have all demonstrated not just talents and a desire to display them, but to use these talents in the support of others. Talent is showcased but talent alone is insufficient; it is the effort, energy, perseverance, commitment and determination to excel that ultimately brings triumph. St Augustine’s fosters this sense of individual achievement in the context of a talented school. At the College Assembly yesterday, I invited students to make a family decision to include an aspect of service: a gift for someone in need, mow a neighbour’s lawn, babysit for new parents, clean a sibling’s room, or to overtly recognise others need by assisting in providing a Christmas dinner for those who are lonely or poor. Our challenge is to find time and space to reflect on the meaning of Christmas and to do this with our families. It is important as Catholic people we recall the solidarity that is fundamental to our faith and our relationships with others. This celebration is a defining part of our faith, that which lies ultimately at the heart of our school. Let’s not leave Jesus out of Christmas.
For the College, it is a time when we look back and feel a sense of pride at what has been achieved by both our students and our staff this year. This has been a busy year; our Master Plan was finalised and just last week the final documentation for a Complying Development to refit the Goold and Lecceto building was received. Over the Christmas holidays, the Augustine Resource Centre will be converted into seven new design and technology studios bringing a modern environment to a faculty that offers our students so many opportunities in design and construction. The extended Goold building will house new art rooms, open, bright and larger classrooms as well as a new library. This exciting development is expected to be complete for the start of the 2020 school year. As discussed in various forums over the course of the year, it will mean that we have a number of temporary classrooms for one year.
This year has allowed me to develop an appreciation for how lucky I/we are. The fragility of life, and not only the care and respect we must have for it, but also the obligation we have as Catholic people to offer help to those in need. Christmas is a focal point in society and offers us the opportunities to act in our faith in the service to others. St Augustine’s College community offers this care to those in need, it is done with a care for each other, and an integrity and respect that is humbling. As our year ends, I would ask you to keep all those families in our community who have ill loved ones, or have experienced loss this year, in your prayers.
Of course, gone but not forgotten are our Year 12 students who nervously await the HSC results! They are all invited back on 14 December for a BBQ lunch and to celebrate their results.
And so I thank each student and parent, each staff member and Board member, Old Boys and our Chaplains for their part in making 2018 a great year.
On behalf of the College, I acknowledge and thank those staff who are leaving at the end of 2018. Their service has delivered wonderful educational outcomes for the College and we wish them well in their future endeavours. Today I thank with sincere appreciation David Holland, Head of Business and Finance, who is retiring after 19 years' service; his financial stewardship has ensured the growth and stability of the College though some challenging times. I also thank Ben Ryan, Alex Rigg, Tate Williams, Amelia Granturco, Amanda Saunders, excellent teachers who have taught the boys with commitment and dedication. Thank you to John Ward who is retiring from our Maintenance team. We also wish Owen Vale, Anthony Bataille and Craig Jeffery a well-earned break on their respective leave in 2019.
As this is the final Tolle Lege for 2018, I sincerely thank Julie Myers for her work in preparing this major communication every week, and patiently waits for my reflections. Our Tolle Lege is really a weekly ‘newspaper’ with so many great articles and photos each week.
Finally to Travis Laughton, father of Fynn (Year 9) and Toby (Year 7), who purchased five tickets in our sport and co-curricular raffle. With good odds he has secured a family trip to London for the Ashes next year. Congratulations to the Laughton family and thank you for your support
On behalf of the College may I wish you and your loved ones a very happy and holy Christmas, with every blessing in the New Year. May the holiday season be a safe and renewing time for all, I know it will be an especially special Christmas for my family.
“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best” Henry Van Dyke
Jonathan Byrne
Principal
