Thank You

I write my last piece as Deputy Principal at Catherine McAuley College with mixed feelings: I am excited about the next phase of my professional life, but sad to see this chapter end. Thanks to Mercy Education Limited and Principal, Mr Brian Turner for affording me various opportunities in my time at the College.

During this time, I hope that in some small way, I’ve been able to have a positive impact on the people and the culture, having been here for almost fourteen of the past seventeen years. I thoroughly enjoy the school community and the challenges that we’ve encountered together, along with the many significant moments to grow, learn and celebrate together.

The transition from Catholic College Bendigo (CCB) to Catherine McAuley College (CMC) was significant and I’m proud that we’ve been able to honour the past and launch a new beginning through this process. The CCB motto, ‘Live the Good News’ and the CMC motto, ‘Living Mercy’ are deliberately very closely connected. We have all been called to live the gospel message of Jesus and, more recently, live mercy as outlined in the gospels, in the spirit of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy.

We should ask ourselves what Living Mercy looks like in our time, how we can be true to ourselves and others, and how we can resist a common chorus and stand up for what is right. It can be quite complex and challenging to truly live this way and at times we may be conflicted in our roles as staff, students, parents and carers.

In a time of increased digital connection, we are perhaps more disconnected from others and, quite possibly ourselves. Over the past few weeks, I’ve reflected on this and wonder how we might best help everyone connect in a positive spirited way. What does it really mean to meet others “with peace and ease” as penned by Catherine? Living Mercy isn’t easy, as sometimes it means setting standards, or standing up for a particular message as much as it does to offer support and guidance. It has been a privilege to strive to serve this community over the years and I wish to thank the many students, families and staff with whom I’ve worked. While we haven’t always agreed on everything, we’ve been able to meet with peace and ease as we’ve shared our various positions on the very best outcomes for our young people.

CMC is blessed to have so many brilliant people – staff, students and families and I am always grateful when I bump into a 30-something year old and meet their partner or new child or learn what they are up to in their lives. Such encounters are incredibly enriching, and I look forward to many more in the years ahead. Thanks to the many people who have offered their well wishes on my move to a role with Catholic Education Sandhurst – it has been much appreciated.

I listened to a podcast recently which explored ways that society could be 10% happier, based around self-reflection and focussing on what we can control. The podcast offered a traditional Buddhist meditation ‘loving kindness’ technique where we pray for others. The technique progressively works through recognising our well wishes for others and is centred around repetition of the following:

May you be safe

May you be happy

May you be healthy

May you live with ease

I pray for everyone to remain safe, happy, healthy and able to meet every encounter with peace and ease.

Kind Regards,

Mr Tim Edwards, Deputy Principal – Coolock