iServi News | 13 November 2020 | Term 4, Week 5
The Servite Journey Begins
We were thrilled on Monday this week to welcome our 2021 Year 7 cohort to the College as part of their orientation program. The day was designed to ease the students’ transition into the College next year and included a range of activities that allowed students to connect with their peers and also learn about the College.
Our incoming students are to be applauded for the way that they positively involved themselves in the day. Their enthusiasm was infectious as they participated fully in the many and varied activities on offer. We are very thankful to each primary school for their support of the day.
I would also like to highlight the terrific contribution of our Year 10 students who gave of their time and talents to ensure the success of the day. Our students demonstrated what it means to be Servite through the way that they openly welcomed everyone present. This important connection of course continues next year as our Year 11 students assume ‘Buddy’ roles for the Year 7 students.
In welcoming a new group of students to our school, we reflect on our core Servite charism of Community. This key ingredient to the Servite story has been central to the way that the Servants of Mary have related to one another for close on 800 years.
As a school rich in the tradition of the Servites, we too celebrate Community and interweave it into all that we do. In building a sense of Community we are hospitable and respectful to all. In being hospitable we encourage all within our school to be accepting of others and to celebrate their individuality and uniqueness. We have all been gifted with different talents from God which we should harness and utilise to full effect. We encourage our students to be proud of whom they are and to lean on their strengths and abilities to support their growth as whole persons.
In being hospitable we genuinely see others and acknowledge who they are. This allows us to welcome them as individuals and properly connect with them. Celebrating uniqueness then builds confidence to give of one’s gifts to grow personally and to contribute to the development of thriving and supportive College community. Being hospitable establishes a warm, positive and welcoming school which is open to others and embraces diversity. Our service to others is an expression of Servite hospitality.
This concept of hospitality underpins our vision at the College to personalise learning for all of our students. We know that students learn differently and also have a broad range of interests, hence our focus on differentiation and individualised pathways is central to our thinking and planning.
In being hospitable we are respectful of others. This key ingredient of a caring community implies we have a deep regard for others and builds a sense of trust, safety and wellbeing.
As a Catholic school, we strive to uphold the dignity of everyone regardless of age, ability, background, or any other distinction. In instilling a sense of respect in students we empower them to see the needs of others and to treat them with kindness, understanding care and support.
Our Servite community of course also celebrates joy and zest, so it was wonderful to see these key attributes very much in evidence during our 2021 Year 7 Orientation Day. We encourage our incoming students to maintain their terrific sense of enthusiasm in exploring new learning at our school next year.
Mr Jeff Allen
Principal