Tiverton Campus Report

Tiverton 2008

It is incredible to think that as people read this article, I will have already completed one year as the Head of Tiverton Campus. In that time there was so much that I needed to learn — names of staff and students, room numbers, what the many information nights entailed, what was Mathletics, how do I use the photocopier — the list could go on. But through all this there has been many a friendly voice that helped in my learning and understanding of why De La Salle College is a special place. De La Salle is all about involvement, enthusiasm and participation. As you read through this issue of ‘Blue and Gold’, you quickly understand that so much happens in a year. Then again, this is what you come to expect from a Lasallian school. Having spent nearly all my school life, as a student and teacher, in schools run by the De La Salle Brothers, I know these expectations are the norm. This year we concentrated on the word ‘respect’ on the Tiverton campus. ‘Respect’ related to three areas — respect of self and of one’s peers, respect of staff, and respect for the College and the Brothers. The students have worked very hard to understand the importance of respect, because it is paramount in their measure as an individual. How each individual boy characterises himself is reflected in the respect paid to him by staff and peers alike. There is a particular prayer we have concentrated on this year to illustrate this concept. ‘Each one of us has been specially created. You have made us all different, special and unique. No one is exactly like me. As we grow up, help us become aware of how true this is. Help me to like myself for the person I am and know that I’m OK. May I remember that there is no point in comparing myself with others and wanting to be superior to them, for each of us is good, yet different, and created in your likeness.’ It is also in the same context that we have concentrated on the respect of the Brothers, but more so with the focus of thanking them for what they have given us at De La Salle. Without the Brothers, De La Salle College would not exist. The Tiverton students have shown their respect for the Brothers this year by raising $40000 for Mission Action Day, which is an incredible sum from 665 students. The students, with the aid of their parents and families, are to be congratulated on this superb effort. There is a visible sense of community amongst the staff, the students and the parents, exhibited tangibly across the Tiverton population. From the work and effort that the Year 9s have put into raising money for the Homeless World Cup and their time spent completing their Lasallian Service commitment, to the Year 8s’ commitment to raising awareness of and giving assistance to the Sacred Heart Mission. The Year 7s and their parents committed the time to attend the Homeroom BBQ at Jan Juc at the conclusion of their camp, and the Primary students who present each day with abundant enthusiasm and exuberance. This is just a snapshot of the many things that happen at De La, but if it weren’t for the committed staff, students and parents, these things would simply not happen. There are many people whom I would like to thank, especially Br Bill for the opportunity to lead the Tiverton Campus; Mr Peter Riordan, whose leadership and experience has been invaluable over the year; and Mr Stephen Young for his cooperation and assistance in coordinating a two-campus school. These three gentlemen have been great mentors, and provided me with continued wisdom to do this job. I sincerely thank all the Year Level Coordinators, Mr Rob Bonnici, Mr Shane Mackintosh, Mr Shaun Buckley and Mr Ray Leetham, for the dedication and time they have given their students. It would also be remiss of me not to mention Ms Adrienne Moran, who left during the year to become the Deputy Principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School. Adrienne’s commitment to Primary education is well known. I also thank Ms Sandra Troise who, as VELS Coordinator, continues to raise the standards of learning at De La Salle, and MMEC Coordinator Ms Kathie Holmes and MMEC staff in their role of furthering the learning of students. I also extend thanks to our Assistant Head of Campus, Mr Brian Long, whose organization enables the Tiverton Campus to run so smoothly. Finally, I must thank the Tiverton Staff who, as Homeroom teachers and subject teachers, continue to be generous with their time and unswerving in their commitment to the young people they teach. Mr John McAlroy Head of Tiverton Campus

Mission: Religious Education and Faith Development

De La Salle College, like all Lasallian schools, was set up for the human and Christian education of youth, especially the poor. Therefore, religious education is at the heart of the Lasallian school. Each person is made in the image and likeness of God and so we are called to reflect the life of God who, as Trinity, lives to love. We live out the fullness of our human nature when we go out to others in self-sacrificing love. These high sounding words are begun in a very real way in the relationships between students and teachers. John Baptist De La Salle wanted the Brothers to foster relationships which “are a letter which Christ dictates to you, which you write each day in their hearts, not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God”. As teachers, we have our mission – to help young people realise the goodness that is inside them and the fullness of life to which they are called. Part of that fullness of Christian life is in helping those in need – in the classroom, in the yard, by donating money or goods to Sacred Heart Mission and the like. The reason that De La Salle has such a fabulous reputation for being generous, such as on Mission Action Day, is due to the corporate effort of all staff. I would like to thank all the RE staff for their teamwork and for the way they give of themselves in caring for our young men and the hours of hard work they put into providing creative and engaging lessons. Being a religious educator has its moments of grace and challenge, not all of them being in a classroom. In a very real sense, religious education is the backdrop of the life of the College, be it in the yard, in class, in an assembly, on the sporting field or in one of our whole school liturgies. It was with a tinge of sadness that we farewelled our Lasallian Youth Minister of three years, Tom McIlroy. Tom’s energy, enthusiasm and lived faith have been an inspiration and invaluable, both here at De La Salle and in the broader Lasallian community where he has helped to organise and run retreats for other schools and the annual Lasallian Leadership Seminar. However, the highlight must be his part in the International Lasallian Youth Gathering, which was considered by all involved to be energetic, inspirational and faith-filled. We are fortunate that someone with a Lasallian background and an experienced youth minister, Des Calleja, has been able to continue this vital ministry to youth. Mr Patrick Jurd (Director of Mission) Once more we had considerable interest from families to participate in the Sacrament preparation program during this year, indicating a strong desire amongst families to further the faith development of their children. During Lent a group of students from Years 4 to Year 7 requested classes in preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Families of Jonathan La Grua (Year 4), Kieran Johnson and John Nguyen (both Year 7) gathered in the College Chapel for a celebration of the Second Rite of Reconciliation led by Old Boy, Father Brendan Dillon in April. Confirmation was conferred at St Anthony’s Parish in Glenhuntly by Archbishop Denis Hart on July 25th for students in Years 6, 7 and 8; Wesley and William Agar, Samuel Beckman, Thomas Connolly, Jayden Cooper, Matthew Crosbie, Christopher Duncan, Jacob Duscher, Nicholas Edwards, Marcus and William Johns, Darcy Kinna, Daniel Leone, Joshua McGivern, Minh Nguyen, O’Grady Patrick, Lachlan Pola, Henry Smith, Matthew Taylor and Benjamin Whitmore. As this group prepared to make their own personal commitment in faith, they looked for ways they could be carriers of God’s love into the world through service. They chose various activities, from helping out the elderly, doing additional chores unasked, writing

From the Chaplain’s Desk

letters and making sure they told the people who care for them just how much they appreciated the love and support they received. We pray that they will make this Spirit of service and mission a constant practice in their lives. Following the excitement of the International Lasallian Youth Gathering at the College and the subsequent inspirational Sydney gathering for WYD, we launched into preparing for First Communion with a Retreat Day on Sunday 10th August, attended by students and their families. Michael Panozzo 4, Jonathan La Grua 4, Joshua Medoro 4, Liam Forrest 5, Patrick Forrest 5, Jack Karlson 5, Shamus Haigney 5, Kieran Johnson 7, Kieran Johnson 7, John Nguyen 7 were presented by their parents for First Communion at St Anthony’s Parish on Sunday 14th September. We warmly welcome them as they have taken this further step in their faith journey. Mrs Joan Ferguson College Chaplain

World Youth Day

World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world and this year it was held in Sydney from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 July. WYD is a week-long series of events, which culminated on the last day (the actual World Youth Day) with a Final Mass celebrated by the Pope before 500,000 people at Randwick Racecourse. Among the pilgrims who descended on Sydney were 27 students from De La Salle College, who spent a memorable week with fellow WYD pilgrims, hot on the heels of the successful International Lasallian Youth Gathering. Jack Peterson, one of the 2008 College Leaders, was one of the De La Salle pilgrims, and below are some of his recollections: “As we packed our bags on to the bus and said sleepy good-byes to our parents, we had no idea that we were starting a once- in-a-lifetime trip. After a thirteen hour trip, we were greeted by Br Gerry, a face that the boys were glad to see again. The coming together of so many different cultures made the atmosphere in Sydney electric. Every few metres we were stopped by someone from a new country, asked questions about where we were from and the obligatory photo. Our catechesis sessions were a chance to talk to visiting Bishops and discuss the teachings of the Catholic Church. The electricity in the air as the Pope arrived on Sunday morning after our sleep-out, woke our tired limbs and warmed our hearts. This is what the buildup for weeks and months had been about, celebrating Mass with the Pope. It was an amazing feeling expressing our faith with 500,000 pilgrims from around the world crammed into Randwick. The pilgrims hung on every word of the Pope’s message as he addressed us fluently in multiple languages. Despite the “papal flu”, discussions were already underway before we left Sydney about going to Madrid in 2011. I would recommend it to anyone! The pilgrimage strengthened the bond between us and developed our faith and understanding of being Catholic.” The young men were very well behaved! I would like to thank Mrs Joan Ferguson, Mr David Ferguson, Mr Sam Magee, Kate and Tom McIlroy, Mr Tom Buick and Br Denis for all their work in ensuring the week went successfully. Mr Patrick Jurd Director of Mission