Wellbeing Report – May 2, 2019

Welcome to Term 2.

One of the Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstones is -Inclusive Community- and for many this just means that all students should be able to have the opportunity to access and participate in the vast range of educational programs offered at St Patrick’s College. This, in fact, is true.

However, last week the term -Inclusive Community- took on a different meaning through the College’s participation in the Ballarat Anzac Day commemorations. Like many organisations and schools in the community, our College Captain Aidan Hanrahan and Vice-Captain Jobe Quick laid a wreath at the Ballarat Cenotaph. However, the College contribution went way beyond that.

The College Marching Band which was made up of both present and past students, led the march.

Our boarders also stepped up an acted as ushers, assisting the RSL to marshal the fifty or so groups who were laying wreaths.

Our other College Vice Captain Matthew Duffy recited a verse from -On Flanders Fields- so clearly and confidently, for all present to hear and reflect upon.

Our student leaders also actively participated in the ANZAC Day Liturgy held in St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Could some other school or community organisation have performed all these tasks? Yes. But the fact is, we did.

The College is an integral part of the wider Ballarat community, not just virtue of postcode but by our actions – be they through our involvement in the Anzac Day commemorations, through our sport or our music performance or through our diverse range of social justice activities.

Our contributions and involvements do not just benefit and develop the character of each of our young men but, of their very nature, serve to benefit and enhance the wider community of Ballarat.