In our 125th Anniversary Year, we have made the theme for this year our College Motto, 'Perseverance Conquers All' or 'Omnia Perseverantia Vincit' in the original Latin. If we can contemplate our foundresses, Sr Sebastian Whyte and Sr Bernard Whyte, 125 years ago planning the original Mercy Convent School, and we can then imagine all the obstacles they would have encountered. Together they must have overcome each concern, with faith, positivity, and a determination to just keep at it… and as we Australians say, to just “Have a go!” We can see in this story of our beginnings, that our motto made manifest and that today, Padua College is the largest co-educational Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, a vibrant and faith-filled community that welcomes and embraces all.
As we conclude the year, it is time to recognise and thank many who have contributed to our successes this year.
To our students, well done on all you have achieved in aspiring towards your own North Star, being the best, you can be to make a positive change in our world. Well done to all the students who received awards at our end-of-year assemblies!
Thanks also to our amazing staff, with many initiatives and developments in our curriculum thanks to Andrew Ferguson, Assistant Head of Campus, Learning & Pedagogy, for all his efforts. This extends to the work done by our Aspire9 Team led by Mark De Fazio and Charlene Smith, which offers so many opportunities for our Year 9 students to grow and learn.
I would also like to acknowledge the work of the many teams that ensured the support of our students during the year; the Learning Enhancement team led by Virginia Dunwoodie, the Careers and Pathways Team, the Maintenance Team, and the Wellbeing Team and Student Administration, particularly Caroline Leaver in Village Reception.
As our students navigate their adolescent years, it is a great comfort to know that the pastoral care provided to our young people continues to be exemplary. Our House system ensures each student is known, and I wish to thank and acknowledge our House Co-ordinator team led by Patrick Janes as Assistant Head of Campus – Student Wellbeing and Growth, and then comprised of Rebecca Haas, Sean Egan, Kelscha Hutchison, Beth Meades, Barry Howle, Matthew Price, Jodie Williams, Josie Luppino and Matthew Laurie. I take this opportunity to thank Mr Janes for all his work and care as Assistant Head of Campus in the Junior Campus and wish him well as he embarks on a new role as Assistant Head of Campus in the Mornington Senior Campus. I wish Matt Laurie and Beth Meades well as they move on to new adventures. I also congratulate Jodie Williams and Rebecca Haas who will be taking on the role of Assistant Head of Campus – Student Wellbeing and Growth in the Mornington Junior Campus from 2024.
To our Year 9 group, I wish you well as you move into the new Year 10-12 Campus. Your enthusiasm and spirit have made Padua College, and particularly the 7-9 Campus in the Village Precinct, a better place… thank you!
I wish all in the Padua Community a happy and Holy Christmas and we look forward to a year of success and achievement in 2024, particularly with the completion of our new Years 7 and 8 Learning Centre!
Wishing you continued blessing,
God Bless.
