Patrick Brennan, Deputy Principal - Staff & Student Wellbeing
From the Deputy Head of College, Patrick Brennan
Deputy Head’s Conference – Brisbane
Last week EREA Deputies from across Australia and New Zealand met for their annual conference. The focus of the three days was reimagining our schools’ tradition of “To Do and To Teach” in the 21st Century through exploring the essence of teaching and learning into the future.
The group of fifty were immersed in a variety of prayer, ritual and community building experiences led by our facilitator, Br Damien Price.
Our speakers included;
- Exploring International Educational Testing Programs and their Implications for our Schools – Professor Bob Lingard
- Engaging in various Professional learning workshops with practitioners from our schools in the Brisbane area.
- Urban Bliss. An interactive experience of wellbeing and mindfulness – Nicola Bone
- Beyond Events Management to Visionary Leadership through Self-Reflective and Sustainable Leadership – Dr Neil Carrington
- A Hands-On writing workshop that explored how to help young people and educators get excited and more creative at writing – with Dr Ian Hunter
- A reflection on the core of Christian Mission and its implications for us as Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition – with Dr Wayne Tinsey (Executive Director, EREA)
- Li Cunxin (Mao’s Last Dancer) sharing his inspirational life story and what is at the heart of achievement through adversity
- Remembering the victims of abuse in our schools through a prayer service at the Pugin Chapel in Brisbane’s CBD.
- The New Work Order and its implications for Young Australians – Jan Owen
- Liberating Education – from what and for who? Reflecting on the strategic intent of EREA around learning – with Ray Paxton (EREA National Director, Identity and Liberating Education)
In addition to a wide and stimulating group of speakers, the annual conference provides a great opportunity for collaboration with colleagues from other EREA and our Associate and New Zealand Schools. Together we took advantage of the opportunities to network, reflect with and build community among colleagues facing similar experiences, challenges and opportunities
In 2019 my colleagues and I look forward to hosting the national conference here in Sydney.
Patrick Brennan with Li Cunxin
Great Feedback Keeps Coming
This year we have seen a turnaround in the way our boys are presenting themselves in public. Our uniform and behaviour have had a significant shift in recent times and this is being noticed by many Sydney-siders. I am now pleased to say I am receiving more phone calls, emails and letters complimenting our boys than correspondence regarding our boys making poor decisions.
Last week the College received a call from a 91 year old local resident who had a nasty fall. Several students did not hesitate in going to the assistance of the gentleman and providing him with care and reassurance.
I constantly remind the boys to exhibit the highest possible behaviour and manners whilst in public. This is a priority of mine and an essential ingredient in maintaining our cultural shift. The messages we give to the public plays a large part in the significant waiting lists of boys now wanting to attend the College.
Well done to all!
Ignatius Park College – Hosting Opportunity
Ignatius Park College in far North Queensland are wishing to send ten Year 10 students to Sydney to spend a week in the life of a Waverley College student.
If any parents would like to host one of these boys from Sunday 21st October until Friday 26th October please indicate your interest by emailing Nikki Smith nsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
