Enews - 30 March 2022

When Ryan Greer’s appointment as Principal of Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon, was announced, a younger student, with a concerned face, anxiously asked me ‘who now was going to run the school?’ I respectfully told him I had no idea, but I hoped they would find a good replacement. He agreed! Fortunately, we have appointed an excellent replacement in Liam Stakelum, but Ryan’s departure will be a great loss. We will miss his integrity, his considered advice, his humour, his stories (he has one for every occasion), and his friendship.

A Deputy Headmaster’s role is often the hardest in schools. They provide counsel to the boss, reassure concerned parents and upset members of the public, calm stressed colleagues, and keep the students in order. Ryan effortlessly, it seems, handles the great variety of joy and hardships that arise in the role, and is to be congratulated for nearly eight years of outstanding service to our College community. 

I particularly wish to recognise Ryan’s leadership during the terrible revelations of sexual abuse that occurred at this College in the 1980s and 90s. His leadership, through making contact with victims (one of the hardest responsibilities he has even undertaken), listening, acknowledging hurt, admitting mistakes, and walking in solidarity with victims did much to restore trust. This response was during a period when much of the Church were running for cover. Ryan’s actions, along with my predecessor Rick Sidorko, resulted in the College conducting a Litany of Lament. The Litany of Lament had input from victims, acknowledged broken trust, provided a heartfelt apology, asked for forgiveness, and hopefully became the first steps towards healing for some of the victims. I would add, the Litany of Lament, relieved many who were on staff at the time of a heavy burden they (unfairly) felt. 

Ryan’s leadership is underpinned with a down-to-earth, pragmatic approach. No more has this been evident than in his management of the COVID pandemic. I think it was a bit like driving a car along a wet road with uncertain breaks and numerous potholes with the GPS giving different directions at every turn. Fortunately, Ryan surrounded himself with a great team, was in front of all details, consulted widely, listened attentively and communicated effectively. I am confident, I speak on behalf of our entire community, in giving thanks for Ryan’s extraordinary leadership during such a challenging period in the College’s history.

In many ways, the purpose of a school is to prepare people to leave and make their mark elsewhere. So too, it is with Ryan. He has shared his life and labour, and he is now missioned elsewhere. Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon has chosen wisely. They have selected a Principal of outstanding quality and we wish Ryan, his wife Leanne and son Finn a richly deserved, happy and fulfilling time. God bless and farewell. 

The final two weeks of term offer a unique opportunity for our community to gather and celebrate after such extended periods of absence due to COVID restrictions. Last Friday evening, we welcomed new parents to the College, providing an opportunity to form new friendships and meet members of staff. On Tuesday night, we gathered to give thanks to the many parents who give so generously to our various sport committees and assist in this significant feature of our community. Their supportive work brings much joy to many.

On Thursday, we were to gather to hear and celebrate an extraordinary story of kindness, generosity and love at our Mothers’ and Grandmothers’ Afternoon Tea. Due to COVID, Tess and Zhara are unavailable. Jennifer Westacott, CEO of the Business Council of Australia, is thankfully still available. She and journalist Lanai Scarr will instead discuss the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable women, the impact of the Women's Budget Statement in this week's Federal Budget, and the power of private philanthropy to support vulnerable groups. It promises to be a special experience and I thank all for the tremendous support of this event.

Friday evening is the College Open Day. It is an opportunity to welcome those considering a Marist education for their son and to meet our staff and boys. We are fortunate to have very high demand for positions at the College due to the wonderful reputation of the boys and our professional staff. Open Day visitors must register due to COVID restrictions. I encourage families to remind friends considering a place for their son at Marist to contact our Registrar to avoid disappointment as the enrolment period closes early in Term Two.

In the final week of Term, we will, at last, be able to gather to celebrate our Commencement Mass and formally appoint our student leaders. This will be followed later in the week with our Academic Awards ceremony and recognition of our outstanding academic achievements from the 2021 Graduating Class.

On Wednesday 6 April, at 7.00pm in the Pavilion, the College will host our first ‘Mora Gadi,’ event. Mora Gadi is a local Indigenous word meaning ‘pathway for searching’. Whilst in its infancy, its purpose is to gather boys and parents to enter into serious dialogue and wrestle with some of the issues of our times. We want participants to perceive and evaluate someone’s stance, a political position, an historical issue from several points of view. As our young men grow in idealism and are confronted with the challenges of our world, they begin to ask, “Why is it so?” and “What can be done?” It is hoped ‘Mora Gadi’ will create conversations, build bridges of awareness, compassion and sensitivity while promoting hope through experience and reflection. We welcome Vicar-General Fr Tony Percy who will present to our community as our first ‘Mora Gadi’ guest. Fr Tony will be discussing ‘Can the Secular and Sacred city live and work together.’ Click here to book. 

Finally, on the last day of term, staff, boys and former members from our Marist College Canberra community will gather at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney as part of the sesquicentenary celebrations of Marist education in Australia. 

The first of these is being held on Wednesday 6 April, starting at 7.00pm, in the Pavilion.

You are invited to join Fr Tony Percy at the College where he will speak on the evocative question: Can the Secular and Sacred city live and work together?

Fr Percy holds an honours degree in finance. He completed a doctorate in sacred theology on the theological meaning of money.

The second part of the evening will be open to questions from the floor.

We look forward to welcoming you to the College.

The Library has been a buzz of activity with all Junior School boys keen to borrow and read books for the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge asks students to read 30 books between February and August.

Thank you to all of the parents who have been diligently signing off on books that their son has read.

Remember that boys can include books they read aloud to you, listen to via audiobook, or are read to by a family member. The Library has also collated books that match the categories on the ‘Challenge Yourself’ list. 

Please encourage your son to keep an eye out for these and to continue reading throughout the upcoming holiday break.

Karen Collins
Head of Library and Information Services

Keiran McKenna participated in the Senior section, while Marcus Amponin, Sachin Weerasinghe and Edward Murphy (pictured) were in the Junior section. Each boy had to write his own speech (6 or 8 minutes) on a chosen topic.

Both Marcus and Sachin spoke with warmth and compassion as they focussed on men’s mental health on the topic of ‘Starting a Conversation’. Edward entertained the crowd by speaking about how ‘Blue Skies’ helped him to focus as he began athletic events like race walking. Keiran provided a heartfelt speech based on ‘Lessons I have learned’.

All of the boys spoke well and were a credit to themselves, their families and to the College. It was impressive to note that the boys were keen to hear individual feedback; hopefully they will do it all again next year!

Leanne Herron
Rostrum Coordinator

Applications are now being accepted from current families who may be considering enrolling any sons not already at the College into Years 4 – 12.

A reminder that applications for Years 4, 5, 6 and 7 need to be received no later than Friday 27 May 2022 to be considered for enrolment starting in 2023.

We would also encourage current families to let any friends who may be interested in enrolment know that they can now apply online. 

Important information for Year 6 and Year 10 families

A reminder that families that have sons currently in Years 6 and 10 at the College do not need to re-enrol their son into Year 7 or Year 11.

Our expectation is that once a student is enrolled at the College, their enrolment will continue until the completion of their studies in Year 12.

We are very grateful to all of the coaches, managers, referees and umpires, committee members, grounds coordinators, first aiders and canteen convenors who generously volunteer their expertise, enthusiasm and time to the ensure the successful running of our Marist Sports Clubs.

In partnership with all Marist Sports Clubs, the College is coordinating the following initiatives in 2022 which all volunteers need to be aware of:

1. Volunteer Sport Induction Training - All our regular and direct contact volunteers will be provided with online induction training which should be completed prior to participating in sporting activities with our students. The training is an essential part of the College’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe environment for all our students, staff and volunteers. It is designed to both educate and support our volunteers in their understanding of the standards, expectations and associated obligations that must be adhered to as part of fulfilling these important roles in our community.

It is our belief that through improving the sharing of information of the Child Safe Frameworks that the College has in place, we will be able to further support our volunteers to build positive relationships for the good of all boys who play sport for the College.

Volunteers are asked to keep an eye out for further email communication directly from the College in relation to the training. We thank you for your cooperation in completing it at your earliest possible convenience.

2. Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Registration - Every person over the age of 16 years who volunteers with a Marist Sports Club must obtain and provide evidence of their Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Registration. In an effort to simplify the process for Club Committees and our volunteers, the College has centralised the process and ask that this is now submitted via the secure online WWVP Register.  

We are asking all volunteers, existing and new, to complete this process and upload a copy (scan or photo) of their physical card (both front and back) prior to the commencement of their respective sport season.

If any volunteers have questions in relation to the Volunteer Sport Induction Training or providing WWVP information to the College, please get in touch with the relevant Sports Committee member within your club, or contact Kathy Mumberson, the College’s Risk and Operations Officer. 

Once again, we thank all of our volunteers for their hard work and the generous support they provide to our students.

Ellen Acheson
Head of Risk and Operations

Blake Bretton (Year 9) who has been selected in the LAACT team for Australian Little Athletics Championships in Melbourne in April for the Under 15 heptathlon.

Thomas Cramp (Year 10) who has been selected to represent the Australian Judo team in Peru at the Pan American Oceania Championships in April.

Darcy James (Year 11) who has been selected to compete at the Rowing Australia National Championships in Nagambie Victoria in late March – early April.

Jesse Rosin (Year 11) who has been selected to compete at the Rowing Australia National Championships in Nagambie Victoria in late March – early April.