From Deputy Principal: Student Engagement and Wellbeing

15 September 2022

Over the coming weeks, we will be asking our students to consider an act of service for the community – will they be a Student Leader?

“Great Leaders don’t set out to be leaders. They set out to make a difference.” Jeremy Bravo

I like this quote because, for me, it sums up what student leadership is. I have been privileged to be a part of several interview panels for students wishing to be student leaders. Every single one of those students did not put their hand up so they could wear a badge, or have some prestige, or so they could have a title…. They put their hand up because they want to make a difference.

And leadership isn’t a job or an action – it is a way of being. It is about caring for others, wanting to make the College a better place, of being a risk-taker. What we put in; we get back a hundredfold.

As a Catholic Community, we are called to minister to ALL and Jesus’ ministry is testament to that. Our ministry is to be joy-filled, empathic, inclusive, celebratory. We are to live as we are created – in God’s image and likeness. All of us, in our glorious diversity, all of us are created in God’s image and likeness. And all of us are worthy of God’s love and celebration.

And it is this conclusion that both challenges and empowers us. It can seem a bit scary to put ourselves out there to serve our community. But it can and is enriching beyond words when we do. Our world becomes more brilliant, more colourful, more dynamic when we do. And it is this – building community through our service, that makes a difference.

So I encourage all of our families to ask their young people all to consider their place in this community – what do you want to improve? What do you want to grow? What do you think we need to ensure all of us, in our rich and beautiful diversity, can let our light shine …

We had a number of excellent applicants for the College Captain positions, six of whom were successful in obtaining an interview and the opportunity to address the College community to campaign for the election. All six candidates gave rousing speeches which clearly outlined their vision for the College. All six talked about serving the community to ensure all are heard, are engaged, are known, and are loved.

We congratulate our Student Leaders Executive Team, Thomas Carr College Captains and Vice-Captains for 2023 and look forward to working with them as we continue on our learning journey together.

2023 College Captains	2023 College Vice Captains
Charlie Hickey	Angeline (Divina) Abiog
Raul Sapkota	Oliver Pond

I spoke to our senior students earlier this week about the September Holidays. When I think of “holidays” I imagine myself on a beach. However, the coming two weeks are not “holidays” as much as they are a “study break” – a time to practice the habit of preparing for exams, ensuring we are studying with intent, and preparing ourselves for academic excellence.

I often use the analogy of the Olympic Champion. Gold medallists do not wake up on the morning of the event, run the race, and then win the medal. Nor do they begin preparing for the championship 8 months in advance; or a year in advance; or two years in advance… They have been preparing for this moment years in advance, waking up each day to train and practice for several hours. The gold medal is achieved over many years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes …

And it is the same with high ATARs and multiple options at the end of our 13 years of schooling. If we want to have more than one door open to us at the end of Year 12, then we need to put the hard yards in NOW. I encourage all our students to use the September break as a time of study and preparation. I recommend all students spend several hours each working day revising, reading, and completing past exams. I also encourage all our students to eat well, stay hydrated, exercise, and sleep cleanly. I have attached a few infographics and flyers to assist with this. Reach Out also have some terrific resources for families to support us as we prepare for the rigours of Term Four.