End of Term Assembly – Believers, Free to Serve
Thursday 27 March 2026
Good morning students and staff,
I begin by respectfully acknowledging our indigenous Elders past, present and emerging and remember that they have passed on their wisdom to us in various ways.
As we come to the end of Term 1, we also find ourselves approaching Holy Week, the most important week of the Christian year.
This Sunday’s Gospel, taken from Matthew chapters 26 and 27, tells the story of Jesus’ final days – a story many of us think we know, but one that always asks something new of us.
It begins quietly, but sharply, with betrayal.
Judas asks, “What will you give me?” For thirty pieces of silver, he hands over someone who trusted him.
Not long after, Jesus sits at the Last Supper, breaking bread with friends he knows will soon abandon him. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he is overwhelmed – afraid, distressed, and alone – yet he still chooses to trust God and stay faithful to love.
Let me ask you something to think about:
What pressures shape your choices right now?
Wanting to fit in? Avoiding getting in trouble? Wanting things to be easy?
As the story continues, the pressure only increases.
Jesus is arrested.
The disciples run away.
Peter denies even knowing him.
The crowd turns.
And Jesus is left standing alone before Pilate.
What’s striking is this: Jesus refuses to let fear or power define him.
He stays grounded. He tells the truth. He remains faithful to who he is even when it costs everything.
That’s why this year’s Salesian Strenna speaks directly into this moment:
“Believers, free to serve.”
Jesus shows us that real freedom isn’t about control, popularity, or comfort.
It’s about choosing love and kindness when it’s hard.
Doing what’s right when no one is applauding.
Serving others even when it would be easier to walk away.
Let me ask another question:
When things get uncomfortable, what kind of person do you become?
The world you’re growing up in can feel heavy.
Globally, we see war, suffering, and division every day on our screens.
Closer to home, families are under pressure — financially, emotionally, mentally.
As young people you may be carrying stress about school, identity, expectations, and the future.
In the middle of that noise, the Gospel shows us Jesus – silent before Pilate, refusing to play the game of power or fear. That silence isn’t weakness. It’s strength. It’s freedom.
St John Bosco understood this kind of freedom. He lived in difficult times too, when young people were poor, forgotten, and written off. Don Bosco didn’t try to control young people – he stayed close to them.
He believed that when young people feel known, supported, and trusted, they grow into people who are free to choose the good.
So, here’s a Don Bosco question for us:
Who needs your presence right now – not your advice, not your judgement, just you?
Being “free to serve” usually looks very ordinary:
- Including someone who feels invisible
- Choosing honesty instead of taking shortcuts
- Standing up quietly when someone is being put down
- Doing the right thing even when no one is watching
- Jesus didn’t change the world by avoiding difficulty.
Don Bosco didn’t transform lives by playing it safe.
Before we look ahead to the break, it’s important to pause and recognise what has been an extraordinary Term 1 across our college community.
This term has been filled with learning, connection, faith, and opportunity:
- We began the year together as a community – welcoming new students and families, and setting expectations for learning and belonging
- Camps, reflection days, liturgies, and reconciliation services gave many students the chance to grow – not just academically, but spirituality and emotionally.
- Sporting events, carnivals, performances, programs, and competitions allowed students to challenge themselves and represent the College with pride
- Academic milestones, NAPLAN, Future Focus days, and learning conferences reminded us that growth comes through effort and commitment
- Well done to Year 7 and new students to the college for successfully navigating Term 1
- And through it all, we have seen students step up, showing leadership, kindness, resilience, and courage
Every term tells a story. Term 1’s story has been one of engagement, growth, and community – and every one of you has played a part in that.
Before we finish classes next week, it’s important to acknowledge and thank our teachers and staff.
Every day, they show up teaching, supporting, listening, encouraging, guiding, and sometimes simply being present so that you as young people can grow into the people God calls you to be.
In the Salesian tradition, their work goes beyond lessons and assessments.
They walk with you so you can become good Christians and honest citizens, confident in who you are and hopeful about who you are becoming.
Please join me in sincerely thanking our staff for all they do.
As we head into the holidays, here is a simple challenge:
Choose one way to be “free to serve” over the break:
- Be present to someone who needs support
- Help at home without being asked
- Apologise when it’s hard
- Put your phone down and really listen
And keep this final question with you:
When things don’t go your way, what kind of freedom do you choose?
The Gospel we hear this Sunday ends with a sealed tomb and silence — but we know it doesn’t end there.
Hope is already at work.
Love and kindness is never wasted.
And freedom always begins with choosing to serve.
May we grow this Easter season as young people who believe deeply, live freely, and, like Jesus and Don Bosco, choose love over fear.
Thank you and have a safe and restful break. Happy Easter.