To the Salesian College Family,
As the new Rector of Salesian College, Chadstone, I would like to thank you for the warm welcome that you have extended to me in the first few weeks of the new school year.
As a past student (1962-1967) and former principal (1995-2001) of the College, it is a great pleasure and privilege to return to Salesian College, my ‘Alma Mater’, as Rector and Chaplain this year. It has been a particularly happy experience for me to renew acquaintance with those staff members whom I knew before, and to meet current students whose parents or relatives I taught, guided or coached previously.
Of course, many things have changed since I was last here – for example, buildings, school colours, uniform, house names, and the numbers of students, families and staff. However, one notable aspect has remained very much the same, for there still remains a warm and lively ‘family spirit’ among all members of the Salesian community here.
I have witnessed this spirit already in the Whole School Mass and Presentations in the College Hall, in the Prayer Service for new Year 7 Parents, in the Year 7 Camp at Foster, in the House Swimming Carnival at Oakleigh Pool, and in students activities in classroom, recreation and sporting field. Long may this positive atmosphere of friendship, cooperation and encouragement continue at Salesian College!
And on that note, I would like to leave you with the following prayer regarding our new school year at the College – may it inspire you to greater efforts and achievements as ‘together we walk humbly with our God’:
What will this year bring?
You do not know; I do not know,
It will bring its usual quota of work and play,
of success and failure, all the things that are part of school
life.
It is a new beginning;
the planting of a seed that will grow for a year, the seed of
fruit that will blossom in times to come.
It is a new hope;
hope for good work, for successful results,
for friendship, for fun, for learning.
In this coming year, may there be learning, prayer and joy.
May there be hard work, faith, and friendship.
May no one in this school be lonely;
May no one be left out in class,
May no one suffer through the others here.
As we begin this year in hope, in prayer and in friendship,
May the Lord begin it with us.
Be with us during it,
and successfully bring it to its conclusion.
May we, this year, together act justly,
Together love tenderly,
And together walk humbly with our God.
Go Well in Don Bosco,
Fr Greg Chambers
Rector