Stronger Together
Last week we had the pleasure of commissioning our key Senior Leaders for 2025 in our College Captains, House Leaders and Cultural Leaders. 2025 College Captain, Ted Challenor launched the 2025 motto of “Stronger Together” which calls all aspects of community life together in unison in celebrating our diversity through collaboration, co-operation and support of each other. We wish all of our Seniors for 2025 every success in the journey and commit to supporting our key Senior Leaders as they strive to attain their goals.
Congratulations to:
Arts Week
The education sector is forever evolving and transitioning due to many factors and trends. The reality is that technological, employment, industry and economic influences have always informed these shifts in policy, curriculum emphasis and behaviours in subject and pathway choices and always will. This is both understandable and necessary as schools, universities, training institutes and employers respond to the needs of the time and prepare for the future.
Catholic education aspires to the education of the whole person and by that we mean what is inclusive of and beyond the cerebral. It aspires to a holistic education of mind, body and heart.
An important part of that is the provision of Arts Education in Drama, Art and Music. We value this at ATC for our boys and hence, we seek to provide opportunities for our students within and beyond the classroom in exploring the Arts.
This week, we celebrate Arts Week and in doing so, we celebrate the critical and creative thinking skills of our students and staff who collaborate in making and shaping meaning, expression, thoughts, ideas and concepts. Our world needs this desperately and this need is ancient and beyond the fiscal, political and competitive paradigms that so often dominate trends in education, training and employment.
This was driven home to me over the past week when I had the privilege of attending a performance of Cirque du Soleil for a couple of hours of enchantment and surprise, and when I watched the next instalment of Slow Horses and marvelled at the acting skills of Gary Oldman and when I looked at photos my eldest daughter sent me from her holiday in Italy of incredible art, statues and spaces. We need Arts education for so many reasons. The Arts surround us in our human experience and have for millennia, but they need our attention, care, advocacy and nurturing.
The Importance of The Arts
Every now and then in my blog, I draw on the font of wisdom of my friend, Christian Brother, Brother Damien Price. He recently shared this article about artificial intelligence that I think captures something about the importance of the Arts and the importance of a holistic education:
"I have a good friend who was once an elite basketball player. He also prided himself on being somewhat of a Fred Astaire on the dancefloor. Apparently during his basketball days, the players would often find themselves at a nightclub. My friend’s signature move was the “sprinkler” – standing in the middle of the floor, strobe lights ablaze my friend would circle around with his hands outstretched and fingers flicking out like a sprinkler. I still have nightmares thinking about it.
I know that Artificial Intelligence has and will gift planet Earth. In the areas of medical science it is already aiding quality of life, depth research and insights into data analysis that are extraordinary. But, as with mobile phones, as with Internet use, as with anything that takes us away from the sacred ground of human to human or human to nature personal direct interaction – we need discipline, deep critical thinking skills and strong boundaries.
AI can’t know the heart of the parent who walks the hall ways with the crying child – nor the feel of hands in the earth as one gardens – nor the joy of a parent when shown their infant child’s stick art.
AI can’t listen for a melody longing to be expressed from within the budding amateur composer – nor know the need for the half time oranges at Junior Football – nor sit by a palliative care bed and hold a loved one’s hand.
AI can’t look into the eyes of a loved one and read the story there – nor giggle uncontrollably at a Kindy concert – nor blush awkwardly on a first date.
AI can’t know the value of one step after another discipline as you make your way up a mountain climb – nor the dignity of knowing you chose right at a values crossroad – nor the heart touched joy at the mountain top vista at the end of a long climb.
AI can’t stop in awe at the birth of a child – nor wonder at the dolphins dance – nor walk beside pain when no words needs to be said.
AI can’t strive for your best and be proud of the journey – nor read the teenage mood swings – nor find faith and trust in the midst of confusion.
AI can’t fall in love and clumsy your way through romance – nor smile at yourself in the mirror at your foibles – nor be captured by the majesty of a waterfall.
AI can’t tear up as an orchestra reaches its crescendo – nor grimace as the child practices the recorder – nor know what tiny personal touch will mean so much in a gift.
AI can’t write THAT letter that your heart knows needs to be written, beyond what some algorism whispers – nor give a speech that is authentic, real and you – nor roll around a floor and play dead with pet dog or toddler.
AI can’t do awe, pathos, empathy nor courage in its thousand faces.
AI can’t teach hard work, fidelity, self discipline, self forgiveness, gentleness nor the need to just grieve.
AI can’t hug nor hold, reach out or hold lightly.
AI can’t replace the longing heart, the bursting with love and joy heart, nor the long lonely winter of struggle – from which a dawn will surely come. I could go on. But despite all the potential that Artificial Intelligence has to enhance the quality of human life it can never replace the beautiful tango that is life. It can never replace the to and from of the head, the heart and the hands. It can never replace the authentic human response that is just YOU, and beautifully you – and a you that is not perfect nor ordered nor logical nor right.
I always go to the counter and order and I call the human being wearing the badge and serving me by name. Never before have we needed critical thinkers who can champion the human response, the human heart, the OK messiness of life and the worth of a journey one step after another.
You and I are called to be those critical thinkers! It will be a sad day when my friend does not make his way to the centre of the dance floor and dance the ‘sprinkler’ his way – replaced by a large TV screen with some artificially enhanced model dancing a ‘sprinkler’ according to data imported by some robot devoid of the human heart."
Day one of Arts Week saw Year 8 students taking part in a Hebel Sculpture Workshop with Brian Shepard, using a range of tools to create a simplified sculpture of a head.
Jazz By The River
I look forward to seeing hundreds of families at our signature event Jazz by the River this Saturday from 4pm. Bring a picnic hamper or enjoy the delicious food from the many stalls and refreshments at the bar. It's a great community event, wonderful musical entertainment in a special setting by the river. Join us and book your tickets HERE. Further details are on the ATC App.
AIC Track and Field
Congratulations to our AIC Track and Field athletes and coaching staff on their performance at the championships held last Friday. In our third participation, we are steadily developing and growing in this challenging domain, and I was proud of the efforts of individuals and of the collective including our Year 10 and 11 supporters who did a great job. There were many wonderful performances and in particular, congratulation to our Under 14 4 x 100 m relay team on their first place and to Kyan Simpson on his individual wins in the Under 14 100 m and 200 m.
October is Dyslexia and ADHD Awareness Month
October is Dyslexia Awareness month in Australia, a time to shine a spotlight on the challenges faced by young people with dyslexia and celebrate their unique strengths. Dyslexia affects approximately 10 - 20% of the Australian population, with a significant impact on students' reading and writing abilities. However, it's crucial to recognise that dyslexic individuals often possess exceptional talents in areas like creativity, problem-solving, and lateral thinking. By fostering dyslexia awareness, we promote a more inclusive and supportive environment, where these young minds can thrive. In a demonstration of support, our college will light up the Edmund Rice Building in red over the first 2 weeks of Dyslexia Awareness month. By embracing the colour of this awareness month, we send a clear message that we stand in solidarity with dyslexic young people, celebrating their unique strengths and advocating for their rightful place in an inclusive society.
Along with Dyslexia Awareness month, October also marks ADHD Awareness Month in Australia, a time to shed light on the challenges faced by young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and celebrate their remarkable strengths. ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and adolescents with an onset typically before 12 years of age and occurs in approximately 6-10% of Australian children and adolescents. It significantly impacts their attention, focus, and impulsivity. Yet, within this diversity, lies a wealth of unique talents, including creativity, hyper-focus, and boundless energy. To show our unwavering support, our college will proudly light up the Edmund Rice Building in orange over the last 2 weeks of ADHD Awareness month, symbolising our commitment to raising awareness of ADHD. Let's stand together, recognising and nurturing the incredible potential of these young minds.
Staff News
Congratulations to Mr Liam Maguire and his wife, Eloise on the safe arrival of their baby girl, Valerie.
Community Prayers
Lord, we pray for those in our community who are suffering. Be with them in this time of hardship and uncertainty. Give comfort and peace to those who have lost loved ones. May their sorrow be turned into strength, and their distress turned into peace. May our hearts remain loving and pure as we seek to always be compassionate to those around us.
God Bless,
Chris Ryan
College Principal
If you know a young man who is eager to begin his ATC journey, please share with his family the LINK TO REGISTER for our upcoming Campus Tour on 30 October.
