Those Golden Moments

We all love a long weekend, but I suspect that we may sometimes neglect to reflect on what Monday’s holiday was about. Without wishing to be overtly political, it’s a day when we celebrate the achievements of and for the worker. In a different way to ANZAC Day, we have the privilege of having a day for self, family, and friends to acknowledge and appreciate the role the worker has played in developing our community and society.

Catholic Social Teaching has an explicit articulation regarding work and the worker entitled; The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers. The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected—the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.

Brother Patrick Ambrose Treacy, our Patron, was a magnificent worker. He rolled up his sleeves, travelling extensively on horseback seeking funds to develop his 27 original schools (now 55) in his 44 years in Australia and all for the common good and to provide opportunity for young people. We stand on his shoulders and the decades of devotion and sacrifice that the families and staff of Nudgee Junior College and Ambrose Treacy College have and do contribute to build a promising future for our students.

Thank you and well done to our wonderfully dedicated and positive staff and all workers who support and challenge the students of ATC at home and school. I trust you have enjoyed a great long weekend.

Edmund Rice Feast Day

We join our fellow Catholic schools in the Edmund Rice tradition in celebrating the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund this Friday. In doing so, we celebrate the lives and works of the Christian Brothers who founded Nudgee Junior College and Brother Patrick Ambrose Treacy who is the Founder of Catholic schools in the Ricean tradition in Australia.

It is important and right that the pain and suffering of historical child abuse by some in the Order is recognised and the journey to address this continues. It is also important and right to celebrate the achievements of the many good and great Christian Brothers, teachers, school officers, students, past students and Mums and Dads who have worked together in our tradition since 1802 in Ireland and 1868 in Australia to provide a liberating education, inspired by the Gospel in building up an inclusive community that seeks to act with justice and solidarity.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) Irish poet

From 12 May to 21 May 2023, I have the privilege of joining my fellow Edmund Rice Education Principals from throughout the world in Dublin, Ireland for the Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders Congress. We have over 250 schools throughout the world and representatives from Australia, Africa, the USA, India, South America, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and numerous others will gather to share in our common story, reflect on the years of the pandemic and work together to plan for a strong future. I look forward to sharing our College story and learning from others. I am disappointed to not be present at some key community events during this time and thank Mr David Gardiner for his support as Acting Principal.

Solid Gold

This little social media story appeared on an Indooroopilly community Facebook page on Saturday morning. Solid gold from this ATC legend. Well done and thank you.

Signum Fidei Breakfasts

We look forward to celebrating our Signum Fidei awards from Junior, Middle and Senior school this week.

These Signs of Faith do the simple things well in the ordinary and every day life of school and have been recognised by key staff as students who Pave the Way for others to follow by their example.

Safety on local roads

The safety of our students is always paramount. In recent weeks we have received several phone calls sharing concerns about the dangerous actions of ATC students when crossing roads. This is particularly significant near the northern end of Walter Taylor bridge towards the cinemas, and at Moggill Road near the Shell service station.

If your child walks in these areas, please reinforce the necessity of road rules and safety for themselves and their friends. We will emphasise this message at school.

God bless,

Chris Ryan