Principal's Post

During the 125 Year Anniversary celebrations, Sister Barbara and Father Isaac reminded us that the word companionship is derived from the Latin word campanio, which means to break bread; to share a meal and experience with one another. Companionship is our College’s theme for 2025 and is understandably dear to the FCJ Society.

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The weekend’s celebrations included: a student-centred day on Friday beginning with a Mass; sharing hamburgers for lunch; carnival activities that brought both a sugar hit and raised money for our friends in Malbago Village in the Philippines; student-led tours around the College, including the archives room; a Gala Dinner with guest speakers Hamoudi Al Saghir and Norah McClusky and reflections by alumni; and a full church celebrating the Eucharist. All occasions centred on breaking bread and sharing an experience with one another. As Principal, I was humbled and proud.

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We asked alumni to share memories. Here are a few to enjoy:

• “Sitting around this table tonight, with the most amazing group of friends, who have seen me at my worst, have helped me through tough times, and just loved me for me. I am truly blessed.”
• “I used to climb the peppercorn trees – and get into trouble with the nuns.”
• “My favourite nun was Sister Rosemary, who remained a friend until she died. I am forever grateful for the friendships I made, and now, seventy years later, I still see the girls I met in Grade 1.”
• “One of my great memories of FCJ was at night when we had to go to two study sessions: one between five and six pm, and another between 7:30 and 8:30 pm. We would be in chapel at the front corner of the convent. Not far up the road, as most of you will know, there was a milk bar just past the primary school. What would happen is Sister Bernadette would be sitting at the desk supervising us, but without fail, she would fall asleep. We were always prepared for this, so we all had our cash. We would nominate one person to commando crawl out the front door of the chapel, run to the shop and get what we used to refer to as our chonks (lollies), then they would sneak back in the door and commando crawl into their seat just in time for Sister Bernadette to wake up at the end of the study session.”

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I leave this post with a reflection from current staff member and alumnus Shaun Jones, who shared this with the student body on Friday:

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“As I have taken the time to reflect upon my years here, I have come to realise that companionship has absolutely defined these years. It has come in many forms… I call on you to let these people know how much you appreciate their companionship – mention and reminisce a happy memory you share with them. Tell them you love them. I believe that as we move through our lives, it is so important to tell the people we care about how much we care about them, and how much they mean to us. And what better time to do it than on our day and upcoming weekend of celebration.”

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Well said, my friend.

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Pro Deo Semper

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Joseph Mount

Principal

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