Br Steve Hogan fsc
I have the privilege of receiving letters or emails from the public or from visitors to the College commending me on the manners, or help, or assistance they have received from an Oakhill College student. I would like to commend these students for their respect, manners and deportment and encourage all students to continue to develop and hone these qualities.
This contrasts with what we often hear in the media or in conversations about young people today.
"What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders, they disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets, inflamed with wild notions. Their morals are decaying. What is to become of them?" This is from Plato, written in about 400BC.
“Young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they know everything, and what passes for wisdom with us, is foolishness with them. As for the girls, they are forward, immodest and unladylike in speech, behaviour and dress." This was written by Peter the Hermit in 1274AD.
This last fortnight Year 7 and Year 9 have completed their NAPLAN tests. At Oakhill College we view these tests as essential and most helpful. We do not prepare for the tests as that would skew the valuable information we can glean from them about the actual reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy abilities of our students in our classrooms. The College uses NAPLAN and Allwell data to inform our teaching and learning to put new initiatives in place.
Moreover, what is even more important and runs parallel to teaching and learning is developing a learning culture where young men and women are inspired to aspire to greatness. This is done by focusing on the small things and simple things and doing them well, such as the orderliness and consistency of class and school routines. We can learn much from the wisdom of tradition. A good foundation is most important.
It is the same in regards to one’s values. Values are essential for civility and the maintenance of social order (the social contract); core values are nurtured from home and supported in school. Values help form attitudes for life and one’s moral compass such as honesty, fairness, respect, hard work, honour, courage and valour.
Theodore Roosevelt wrote in his ‘Man in the Arena’ speech given at the Sorbonne in Paris in 1910.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or whether the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again.”
Theodore Roosevelt is commending those who formed by values actually get on and get involved, do their best and strive for excellence, that is, be the best person they can be for the betterment of all, sometimes failing but getting back up and trying again.
I commend Oakhill College students who get involved, do the right thing and strive for excellence in what they do, think and say. The credit, as Theodore Roosevelt says, is well earned.
Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal
In our Catholic tradition, Lent holds significant importance as it provides an opportunity to experience God's Mercy and extend it to others. As we observe this Lenten season, let us come together as a College and strive to live out the inspiring words of Saint Oscar Romero - "Aspire not to have more, but to BE MORE."
