Rosary beads given to Year 7 students
From the Deputy Head of College, Patrick Brennan
107th May Procession 7th May 2pm
Just a reminder that this is a compulsory event for all students at Waverley College as per the College Diary. Only students with an exemption from the Head of College will have leave on this day.
A roll will be taken at the event. Any student who is absent will be required to submit a medical certificate on the Monday following May Procession. A Saturday detention will be issued if these requirements are not followed.
Students have been asked to be on campus to ensure they are ready to commence by 1.15pm
Year 7 students presented with Rosary Beads
On Monday afternoon, as has been the tradition for a number of years, the Waverley College Old Boys’ Union presented the Year 7 students with their own Rosary Beads.
Old Boys’ Union Vice President Mr Col Blake was on hand with a number of other Old Boys and spoke about the Rosary and its significance in the Catholic Church. On the eve of our own May Procession, Mr Phil Davis, Director of Mission and I then spoke about the processes of praying the Rosary.
The Rosary is arguably the most recognisable Catholic devotion. Among the most common excuses for failing to pray the Rosary are that it’s “boring” or that it takes too much time. Many Catholics aren’t aware of the benefits – promises from Our Lady herself – associated with its faithful recitation.
I explained to students that the ritual itself of saying the Rosary allows some time out from their busy, screen filled lives and gives them an opportunity for meditation and to be close to God, benefitting not only their spiritual life but also the emotional, social, physical and emotional dimensions of their own health.
While the specifics are unclear, tradition and the Church hold that in the 13th Century Our Lady appeared to St Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche to impart the devotion of the Rosary.
Structurally, the Rosary is divided into five Decades; a Decade is made up of 10 Hail Marys preceded by an Our Father and concluded with a Glory Be. Each of the five Decades is associated with a Mystery from the life of Christ, and there are three sets of Mysteries: the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries. An entire Rosary consists of all 15 Decades. Fifteen Decades of 10 Hail Marys each equals a total of 150 Hail Marys, thus leading the Rosary to be known as “Mary’s Psalter.”
Daily recitation of the Rosary will help us get to know our Mother better. By getting to know Mary better, we will in turn get to know Jesus better. When we look at each Mystery of the Rosary, we reflect upon different aspects of Jesus’ life through the eyes of His mother. Mothers know and see their children much differently than others do.
Uniforms
Waverley College has a stylish winter uniform which looks great when worn with pride.
On Tuesday morning Heads of House performed a check of all students’ uniforms at the College. I thank the majority of parents and their sons who were wearing their uniform correctly and with pride. Our College community are recognising the importance of sending a positive message in terms of our appearance both at school and whilst in transit.
Haircuts were also of a high standard and in line with the policy contained in the College Diary.
