From Br Steve Hogan fsc
In the last week of Term 3 the College celebrated the graduation of Year 12 marking their transition from school to life beyond school - a significant rite of passage. However, that transition is not quite complete as Year 12 continue to work those long, hard, lonely hours in study for their HSC exams, aiming for their personal best. Reports from invigilators are highly commendable of this year’s Year 12 and we continue to pray for them and wish them every success. JFK said, we do it, not that it is easy, but it will make us who we are, for we are up to the measure - we are ready for the challenge.
I believe the true test of a successful education is the subsequent life of a student; the kind of person they become, the extent to which they are fulfilling their potential, using their gifts and talents to the best of their ability, for the betterment of others. At Oakhill College we are honoured by such fine men and women.
Over the term break we had over 90 students and 14 staff travel to India and Fiji on service-learning programs. Oakhill College has been contributing to the work of the De La Salle Brother’s in Madurai, Tamil Naidu, India, for over 13 years. The work consists of both hard physical work building and repairing classrooms and amenities, but also teaching and engaging with the orphans and street children under the care of these institutions. The Oakhill College students also raise significant funds to present to the Brother’s to assist their ongoing work. However, each return with so much more than they give. As the prayer of St Francis says, “in giving, we receive”. The students commented on how much they had learnt about themselves. Stretched, due to the simple living conditions, the heat, the hard labour, and the simplicity and horror of the children’s lives, led each to come away with a very real sense of gratitude and awareness of their own capabilities. As Marcus Aurelius once said “Because a thing is difficult for you, do not therefore suppose it to be beyond mortal power. On the contrary, if anything is possible and proper for man to do, assume that it must fall within your own capacity”.
Human flourishing must be a central focus of education. Every gram of leadership must be nurtured so that it can engender positive change. Lasallians must be leaders of change, bearers of hope, bridging differences. Lasallians are men and women for others. Our schools need to deliberately build enough confidence in their students, so each possesses these character dimensions: resilient personalities; audacious thinkers; imaginative dreamers; critical questioners; innovative inventors; enthusiastic experimenters; faith filled leaders; strong willed individuals in the face of adversity; and committed collaborators.
Such experiences, and there are many similar opportunities at Oakhill College, are an essential component toward becoming the ‘Oakhill Graduate’ - fine young men and women, hard-working, optimistic, grounded, articulate, focused, oriented toward what is right and just, faith filled and with a moral compass.
Thank you to Mr Goodman, Director of Mission, and his team of staff and to the committed staff at Oakhill College for the many and varied opportunities they provide for our young men and women to grow.
Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal
