iServi News | 10 December 2021 | Term 4, Week 9
The Year of Hospitality
As the year draws to a close, we reflect on what has been another very busy, rewarding and exciting year for the College.
This year we have had a College-wide focus on hospitality, in support of the Servite Charism of Community. In being truly hospitable, we see others for whom they are and for the gifts that they bring to our community.
We want to ensure the growth of all our students into whole persons who can make a positive difference to the world. In the pioneering tradition of the Servites, we seek to serve through the provision of innovative and personalised learning opportunities for students.
In addressing our community at our College Awards Night this week, I quoted Pope John Paul II who tells us to “remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.”
I also looked to Pope Francis who challenges us to be forward-thinkers when he says “in educating, a balance must be maintained, your steps must be well balanced, one step on the cornice of safety but the other into the zone of risk. And when the risk becomes safe, the next step must venture into another area of risk. Education cannot be confined to the safety zone.”
Our ongoing improvement journey at Servite therefore promotes a sense of reflection and renewal. It allows us to become a community of learners where we continue to build on past successes and opportunities at the College.
We aim to instil this outlook in all of our students to support them becoming lifelong learners. We encourage them to maintain a sense of agility and a growth mindset as they continue to learn, whilst always remembering the importance of connecting with others and being of genuine service.
In supporting our students’ readiness to learn, we want them to be resilient and perseverant, with the capacity to self-regulate and to lead their own learning. We encourage them to be courageous in stepping outside of their comfort zone to embrace opportunity.
In bringing this educational philosophy to life we aim to ensure growth experiences are aligned with students’ cognitive, physical, emotional and social development across the years.
Servite College is a school of opportunity, with multiple learning pathways. In striving to create a safe and inclusive school community, underpinned by our rich Servite values, we want students to confidently step out into Pope Francis’ zone of risk. This is where the real learning happens.
As a College, we aim to model our Friars and Sisters from across the centuries in looking outward to the needs of others and consistently seeking ways to provide service and care.
In this our Year of Hospitality, we celebrate the individualised gifts of our students and have continued to strive to provide engaging and personalised learning opportunities for them.
Farewell
In writing my last iServi post at Servite, I reflect on what a privilege it has been to have fulfilled the role of Principal at this remarkable College for the past eight years. I have greatly valued the terrific support from staff, parents, caregivers and students as we worked collaboratively to continue the Servite story.
I would also like to acknowledge our College Friars and the College Council for their trust and guidance. It has been an honour to be a part of this special community that has helped shape me as a person and a leader. I will most certainly carry the Servite charisms of Marian, Service and Community with me always.
I wish incoming Principal Ms Silvana Vicoli all the very best as she joins the College and look forward to seeing the continued growth of this very special Servite school community.
I wish all of our parents, caregivers, staff and students a very happy and holy Christmas and hope that you all take time over the break to spend some quality time together with your families.
Mr Jeff Allen
Principal