From Br Steve Hogan fsc
Greetings,
Year 12 2022 graduated on Wednesday 21st September with only their HSC exams to complete between 18th October through to 5th November. We wish them the very best for all their future endeavours. The Graduation Class of 2022 is like no other because they have lived with the changes and adjustments to teaching and learning from the start of Year 10 in 2020 due to COVID. Winston Churchill said to the Harrow Class of 1941, 鈥淣ever give in. Never, ever, give in — in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in鈥. The Class of 2022 are remarkable for this legacy they will be known for.
Peter Kurti wrote in the Weekend Australian about a shifting moral compass in Australia as free speech is being eroded by many guises, trust in institutions broken, and religion so divisive we now need a law to protect it 鈥 the Freedom of Religion Act. He went on to suggest that at the heart of this cultural shift in Australia is a move away from communal civic mindedness and the unwritten social contract that keeps us cohesive giving rise to the sensitivities of the individual as a priority over the communal.
Kurti proposed Australia today (and I would suggest regretfully the world over) is more and more governed by a compass that has become relativized in the form of personalised values. The subjectification of values has displaced virtues. The idea of a shared guiding compass on human behaviour has lost coherence of meaning. Principles of reason have been replaced by individualized feelings, emotions and beliefs. Human flourishing however depends on a communal and common upholding of a broad spectrum of informing philosophies. As we seek to redefine ourselves as a Nation, we depend on the many fine young men and women such as those graduating from 蜜桃影像 to engage in the conversation informed by an understanding and an experience of communal and civic-mindedness.
At 蜜桃影像 we believe we provide students with an experience and an understanding of the importance of virtues and collective moral norms as a compass to guide and live by; that call to service, trust, respect, inclusivity and the pursuit of excellence (our core Lasallian principles). Our Year 12 Class of 2022, now Oakhill Graduates have their feet firmly grounded, aim for the stars, and know that life鈥檚 journey will not always be clearly defined, straight or predictable. Oakhill Graduates know that they have the strength of spirit that enables them to rise above the fleeting things to engage in life consciously. Oakhill Graduates always strive for what matters, look out for the other, knowing and experiencing true mateship. Oakhill Graduates are always up for the challenge, keep the faith, are good and kind, and know they contribute to God鈥檚 Kingdom.
I wish to thank our parents for choosing 蜜桃影像 and giving us the privilege of walking with you a while in the formation of the young men and women you place in our care - a most happy and joyous walk - and for supporting us on the field and court, in the theatre and at productions, at parent meetings and mission programmes.
I would like to thank teachers and all staff who work hard to provide their best for students in their care.
May you all have a blessed and happy holiday with special family times. I look forward to meeting students refreshed and ready to do their best each and every day in Term 4.
Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal