FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Today I am pleased to announce the Middle School Leaders for 2024. Ms Bell and the Pastoral team appoint a Middle School Leader to assist the Head of House and Year 12 House Leaders. As only ten students are appointed, these are significant appointments. I congratulate the following students.
Callan: Harry Dobbin
Duhig: Ben Dillon
Hogan: Rhys Willemsen
Kilian: Will Byron
Nagle: Eddie Gore
Rice: Kaelen Luu
Sion: Jack Stergou
Treacy: Sam Stallman
Waterford: Callum Wright
Xavier: Xavier Heise
We wish these students well in 2024.
Volunteers Evening
On Thursday evening, Fr John Gillen said Mass for our parent volunteer group who were able to attend. This was followed by some light refreshments in ERPAC. It is a tradition that we also acknowledge the parents of Year 12 students who are leaving the school as well. It was a great night and I thank Mr Will Pike and Mr Paul Corfield for organising the night. I wish to thank all volunteers who assist our community with events, canteen, Co-curricular, the Arts and Service. Your role modelling does much to reinforce our mission at the College.
Australian Rugby Selection
We congratulate Finn Mackay of Year 11 Nagle House for his selection in the Australian Under 16 Rugby team travelling to Canberra during the holidays. This is a great effort.
Staffing news
This year I have received the notice of retirement of three long-standing staff members. Mr Noel Toohey retires at the end of the year following 41 years as a staff member at the College. Noel is also a past student. Mr Peter Foster retires following 37 years of service to the College Art Faculty. Mr Basil Ranieri retires following 23 in our Primary School. All these staff have made significant contributions to the lives of hundreds of students and many staff colleagues. These three were acknowledged on Awards Night and we will hold a staff farewell event for their close family and friends. With 101 years of service to the College, these three staff will be greatly missed. I wish Noel, Peter and Basil well in their retirement.
Senior School Events
As we move to the conclusion of Year 12 assessment, we are beginning to prepare for the Year 12 leaving events. On Wednesday of next week, the Seniors will journey to Runcorn for the final Senior Retreat. This retreat affirms the students’ Lauries Journey and is a time for reflection and gratitude. A highlight is the presentation of an Old Boys’ cap. This cap has the serial number of Private Grant Kirby who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. Grant graduated from St. Laurence’s College in 1992 and paid the ultimate price for his service to others.
This year we will also have the police serial number of Constable Matthew Arnold on this cap. Most would be aware that Matthew was tragically killed in December 2022 while performing his duties at Wieambilla along with Rachel McCrow. Matthew graduated from the College in 2013. It is our privilege to honour the service of Grant and Matthew through the gift of a Lauries cap. I thank both families for supporting this initiative and I trust that our students leave with a sense of service and passion.
On Thursday of next week, we will conduct our Year 12 Graduation mass and leaving ceremony. I thank Bishop Tim Norton for supporting us by celebrating mass with our families. This is always a moving and humbling experience.
We wish all of our Seniors well as they move from our gates for the final time.
Remembrance Day and 42 for 42
Today we held a Remembrance Day ceremony to commemorate all those who have served our country and especially those who died on active duty. Callan House and Xavier House held a combined mass celebrated by Fr Rix Walnough this morning. The attendance was outstanding. Today at 4pm, members of Marist College Ashgrove and St Laurence’s College First XI squads will play a 42 ball cricket match in support of 42 for 42. This is a Veteran initiative group supporting those affected by the war in Afghanistan. As stated previously one of our own, Private Grant Kirby died in Afghanistan.
Callan House, under the leadership of Mr David Sheehan, has this organisation as their House charity. 42 for 42 stands for the 41 veterans who were killed in Afghanistan, with the 42nd representing the veterans who have lost and continue to lose their lives to suicide, and those who have retired with physical and mental illness. This is a most worthwhile charity and I thank Marist College Ashgrove, Mr Sheehan and Callan House and our cricket community for supporting this great organisation. Lest we forget!
Enjoy the week.
MR CHRIS LEADBETTER
College Principal