11 minute read
Leadership
From the Principal
When we resumed school at the end of January, it was with a driving sense of optimism. The trials and travails of dealing with COVID-19 in 2020 were behind us. The VCE results were outstanding in spite of the challenges and we thought we would all be onsite at school all of this year and all the valuable lessons from last year would be put to great use in 2021. Sadly, but possibly predictably, this year saw us work through our sixth lockdown, so our sixth round of remote learning and COVID-19 dominated the second half of 2021, just like last year.
However, despite the challenges, inconveniences and frustrations, there has been much to acknowledge and celebrate at De La Salle College in 2021. What is also of significance is just how much the challenges of dealing with COVID-19 have altered, if not completely changed, the way we operate in so many areas of school life. With a second academic year dominated by lockdown, remote learning and the effects thereof, many cancelled and postponed activities and events, De La Salle College has – like most organisations – had to literally reimagine how we operate. Supporting our students, parents and staff required almost weekly revision of what we do and how we best do it under the challenging circumstances. We quickly built a solid reputation for delivering very effective remote learning, for the monitoring of students’ progression and even more critically, as the weeks wore on, their mental health and general wellbeing. Proactive measures were put in place and interventions developed to support students and indeed their families when and as required. We managed to not just cope, but flourish in dramatically changed circumstances. Supporting each other to be adaptable, to build resilience, to remain positive and look forward with optimism and build a trust that things will improve and our school year will turn out OK is definitely a new part of life in a school! I can only praise our staff’s resilience, innovation and most importantly, their dedication to keeping our young men on track in all aspects of their 2021 school year. We ran a major marketing campaign in 2021, with the intention of maintaining and building enrolments in an increasingly competitive market. Significant growth in the Primary school enrolments has been one positive return. Our main message is that De La Salle College is a Lasallian community with a place and pathway for all and continues its 109-year tradition of turning out great young men of quality, respect and empathy. This year we launched a pilot High Performance Sports Program for football, soccer, basketball, cricket, swimming and athletics, with plans to expand this in 2022 and beyond. Year 7 and 8 students have been invited to join the Kennedy Club for Football, the Agar Academy for Cricket, the Sean Macdonald Basketball Squad, the De La Salle Soccer program and the DLS Torpedoes Swim team. Football, soccer, basketball and swimming were just underway in July before lockdown interrupted, with cricket and athletics set for launching later in the year. Significant capital works on the Tiverton Campus have brightened the learning and recreational spaces for students. The Murdoch Building’s complete refurbishment gave tired old spaces a contemporary feel. A new weights/cardio room has been completed, and new signage in the gymnasium, coupled with various astroturf installations in the yard have really added to Tiverton’s appearance and functionality. The Duffy Building is also undergoing a refurbishment including large light filled spaces and breakout areas. I must also thank the College Board Chair, Richard Mullaly, and the Directors for their vision, governance and leadership this year and acknowledge their ongoing support and direction. The College Executive, supported as ever by Sandy Wreford, PA to the Principal, has been superb in truly leading our community through another difficult year. I wish all in our Lasallian community a safe, happy and holy Christmas and a more predictable 2022.
Like 2020, 2021 has been a demanding, taxing and challenging period for all – students and their families, teachers and staff. On behalf of the Directors, I would like to recognise the efforts and sacrifices made by students and families. It has been a tough academic year but it has demonstrated the students’ and families’ ability to learn, to live and to lead.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Richard Mullaly (Chair) Allison Shannon (Deputy Chair) Tony Morwood Richard Halasa Br Patrick Lynch Mark Parker Paul Shannon Libby Barnes The Board would like to acknowledge Principal, Peter Houlihan, his talented and dedicated Executive Team, and every De La Salle College staff member for their efforts this year. All have led, performed and taught with graciousness and enormous generosity. As always, the students’ needs were to the fore. I am fortunate to lead a diverse, experienced and dedicated Board of Directors, who work to ensure good governance of the College, set strategy and ensure the College is financially secure, so securing future expansion. The College remains in a solid financial position, in large part to planning and strategic thinking of Peter Houlihan, his Executive Team and the Board. We are currently working to plan new capital works which will place De La Salle College at the forefront of Catholic education in South East Melbourne. My thanks to the Board and particularly the previous Chair, Tony Morwood. A well performing school succeeds in part, due to a stable and supportive governance group. While 2022 will bring new tests and difficulties, I have a deep conviction that the staff, students and their families will adapt and succeed, drawing strength from the Lasallian ethos and identity. I hope for a future out of COVID-19 and return to a version of normalcy. Richard Mullaly – Chair of Board
The College Executive
The College Executive Team were again challenged in 2021 to provide the best learning experiences for students whilst dealing with rolling COVID-19 lockdowns. They have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills for all staff and worked tirelessly to ensure all students have been catered for in the academic, wellbeing and spiritual spheres.
Jessica Alger, Deputy Principal -
Students led the Wellbeing team by exhibiting strong, strategic and compassionate leadership. The ongoing remote learning challenges required the Wellbeing team to adapt, innovate and ensure all students were supported.
Mark Gustincic, Deputy Principal -
Learning and Teaching again shouldered the lion’s share of ensuring our remote learning experience continued to provide effective, engaging, targeted curriculum to all students. The high quality and reliable technical systems required to deliver remote learning is constantly being monitored and updated by the curriculum team, led by Mark, with clarity of purpose and direction.
Tom Ryan, Deputy Principal -
Staff and Operations provided pastoral support to all staff during this tumultuous year. The continuing lockdowns challenge many areas of Tom’s sphere, including staff mental health and wellbeing, timetabling complications and sourcing replacement teachers and ensuring the College’s operations are maintained, all whilst working remotely. Developing a staffing model and timetable for 2022 while in lockdown has also been taxing but attended to very efficiently by Tom.
Rana Brogan, Deputy Principal - Identity and
Mission has worked with the Religious Education team and Lasallian Youth Ministers to nurture the spiritual life of our students through the Year 12 Retreat, whole school liturgies, Lasallian reflections and prayers. Rana’s online presence, caring nature and capacity to reach out to staff and students in need was invaluable during lockdown.
Joe Gehrig, Business Manager
joined the team in 2021. Joe has an extensive background in financial management including the education sector. He joins us from St Patrick’s, Wellington, New Zealand. Working remotely for most of the year, Joe has supported many families whilst maintaining the College finances. I am indebted to the team for their service in 2021’s remarkable circumstances.
Peter Houlihan – Principal
College Captain’s Report
Thomas Seddon
And just as we thought that 2020 was ‘The Pandemic Year’! Alas! Little did we know that infections, COVID-19 and lockdowns would yet again haunt our 2021. However, as all amoral, opportunists contend, “every disaster is an opportunity you must seize” and the Lasallian community has undoubtedly seized the opportunities COVID-19 has produced… without being “amoral opportunists” of course haha!
We all began the 2021 year with such luminous hope and irrepressible optimism. The year started magnificently. All seemed fine and well until an iceberg, akin to what brought down the Titanic, maliciously emerged like a black swan, interrupting our plans and hopes. Nonetheless, one of the many lessons we would have extracted from the ravages of the pandemic that kept impinging on our 2021 is that we all must “just, keep swimming” as the astute fish Dory from ‘Finding Nemo’ once said. When 2021 threw multiple curve balls to us in the form of more lockdowns, De La Salle College pupils didn’t meekly retreat from it but rather recognised the harsh reality of an erratic ball movement and smashed it out of the metaphorical ballpark. Despite the hardship it brings, the pandemic can be somewhat interpreted to be a ‘blessing in disguise’ in terms of its pedagogical value and the fact that it teaches us lessons. But to be less facetious, the chief lesson I grasped was that the source of true happiness comes from within, to paraphrase Rousseau. Let us make no mistake that relying upon external conditions as a generator of happiness is rather shaky. Instead, when contentment is derived from within, nothing can stop us from being happy! If you accept Shakespeare’s belief that “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” and by extension, that we are capable of interpreting a seemingly ‘bad’ situation (e.g. COVID-19) as ‘good’, we become the masters of our lives regardless of circumstances. Nonetheless, I, and many others, are so profoundly grateful to De La Salle College for the superb support it provides to students, fostering an environment conducive to happiness and success. From the beginning of my Lasallian journey from Year 4 to now, I have developed so much and seen all my friends mature into decent, down-to-earth gentlemen excited for the future. Such a result can only be attributed to the hard work of truly wonderful teachers and the overall “vibe” (Dennis Denuto) of the great school of De La Salle College. One I am so proud to have gone to! Thomas Seddon – College Captain
College Vice Captain’s Reports
Peter Bohan To think we would find ourselves in a similar positon to last year certainly wasn’t expected. Reflecting on the year that has been, I can say without doubt that it has still provided us with many opportunities which certainly won’t pass unnoticed. The experiences I’ve had with this leadership group and our cohort, and the engagement we’ve seen within the broader school certainly defines our ability to make the most out of the moments we are given.
Whilst these lockdowns and restrictions don’t come with ease, challenging us emotionally and mentally, our ability to connect with those around us and appreciate the support we are given by the College during these times, seems to become more prevalent. It certainly hasn’t been the normal ‘Year 12 Experience’, having unfortunately missed various events in the latter half of the year. However, what we lost in our physical presence at the College, we gained through our connections to peers, and grew stronger together. We are all proud of each and every one of you. Peter Bohan – College Vice Captain
William Dwyer It would be remiss to disregard the uncertainties of 2021. Indeed, there were peaks and troughs - the thought of impending lockdowns, remote learning, and the physical distance between us and those within our College community. However, I cannot help but feel immensely proud and grateful for what we achieved in 2021.
As a College community, if there is one lesson we derived from 2021, it is the importance of focusing on what we can control, finding gratitude where you can and enjoying the small wins. The Athletics and Swimming Carnivals brought excitement to all. Additionally, who would have thought 12 months ago we would be able to make an actionable difference to people’s livelihoods through Mission Action Day? Seeing our community values in action, not only this year, but throughout my entire College experience has been truly inspiring. I implore you all embrace the opportunities available at this most wonderful school, I truly mean it – look back at these years with fondness, without regret and ultimately with pride in what you are a part of. I certainly will. William Dwyer – College Vice Captain
