College Principal’s Report

2009 has certainly been a year of change at De La Salle College, Malvern. For the first time in its history, De La Salle College became an incorporated company with a Board of 11 Directors chaired by Br Chris Gorringe, fsc. Having worked closely with this group, I sincerely thank them for the commitment and contribution they have made to De La Salle College in 2009 and I know that they very much look forward to moving the College further forward in coming years. At the beginning of July, the College farewelled Old Collegian, former College Captain and, of course, its Principal of the past four and a half years, Br Bill Firman, who has taken up a position as Principal of a Teachers’ College in Southern Sudan. There is no doubt that Br Bill has left an indelible mark on De La Salle College in his time as Principal. The May opening and blessing of the St Miguel Theatre, the Peppercorn Cafe and two new classrooms by Old Collegian, Fr Peter Robinson, has given the Kinnoull Campus an enormous, yet functional, facelift. These new facilities have been warmly received by staff and students. In Term 2, 2010 we will welcome the commencement of a new Principal to the College, Br Paul Rogers, who has spent a number of years in Singapore as Principal of Catholic Junior College, a pre-University Year 11-12 Co-Educational College of 1600 students. There is no doubt in my mind that there is a tremendous spirit and tradition within De La Salle College and I often remind students from Yrs 4–12 that they are the custodians of that tremendous spirit and tradition which is quite a responsibility. I sincerely thank the students for their willingness to take on that responsibility in maintaining and enhancing that great spirit, reputation and tradition, which I believe is quite unique to De La Salle College, Malvern. I constantly see very happy students interacting respectfully with their classmates and their teachers. I thank all students for their commitment, their willingness to share their diverse skills, and their willingness to embrace the values and ethos of De La Salle College. In particular I thank Jake Stewart for his outstanding leadership as College Captain in 2009 — he is an extraordinarily talented young man who has led the College with distinction throughout the year. To our two College Vice-Captains, Xavier Fitzgerald and Tim East, I thank you for your support of Jake and the very fine example you have given to the whole of the De La Salle College community. To the Year 12 Leaders who in turn supported these three, I thank you for your excellent leadership of the College throughout 2009. As the graduating class of Year 12, 2009 leave De La Salle, they now have to “follow their own star”. I would urge these students to think about being true to themselves. Don’t spend the future trying to be something or somebody you are not. In your time at De La Salle you have been given an abundance of opportunities and experiences to prepare you for life after De La Salle — use them. The future will be full of challenges. You don’t know what lies ahead, you are living in a generation that has seen the most advanced technological changes known to mankind. But be confident, grasp the opportunities that come your way, remember the Lasallian values you take with you from De La Salle College, stay connected with your family and friends, and as I said — be true to yourself. I wish all of our Year 12 graduating class all the very best on their road ahead. Of course there are a large number of people I would like to thank for their support of my role in the second half of the year, particularly the Leadership Team including Mr Steve Young – Deputy Principal, Mr John McAlroy – Head of Tiverton Campus, and Ms Sally Buick – Head of Kinnoull Campus for their excellent leadership, wisdom and enthusiasm for their work. All of us have been equally well supported by the very generous and committed work of the Year Level Coordinators, Key Learning Area Coordinators, Assistant Heads of Campus, the Director of Sport, Director of Counselling, the VELS Coordinator, the VCE Coordinator, Homeroom Teachers, Subject Teachers, Mary McLellan, my personal assistant, and the Office and Ancillary Staff. I invite you to enjoy reading the Blue and Gold 2009 which will give you a great insight into this fine Lasallian School.

Mr Peter Riordan Principal