Lachlan Ware's speech - Marian College

College Captains
2013
Opening Mass Speech – Lachlan Ware
Hello my name is Lachlan Ware and,
along side Alicia Paterson, I am
representing the student body as your
College Captain.
Welcome to all new and returning
students, staff, visiting clergy, parents,
and friends to our 2013 Opening Mass
for Marian College and to the blessing
of the Sister John Spurr Multi Purpose
Centre.
First of all I would like to give a
very warm welcome to all the new
Year Seven students to Marian
College and congratulations on
successfully navigating your
first week at secondary school.
As we all know very well, Year
Seven is a difficult transition in
everyone’s life, moving from the
sanctuary of primary school,
where you were at the top of
the school yard hierarchy, only
to be flung all the way down to
the bottom of the social food
chain. I can recall my Year
Seven experience as if it was
yesterday.
Wandering the large busy halls,
overwhelmed by all of the big
kids, learning how to read a
timetable, running to different
classes, being late for different
classes, getting homework, not
doing homework, being frightened
of the canteen ladies, intimidated by
having a different teacher for every
subject, being scared of Mr Summers.
But Year Seven was not without its
positives. During those first few
weeks I formed beautiful friendships
with people who I have watched grow
and develop into the sophisticated and
educated young adults that they are
today, my fellow Year Twelves.
In part, this has been achieved by
staff and students supporting one of
the College’s Core Values, outlined in

the Mission Statement “Welcome to all
people, especially the most vulnerable”.
It has been a privilege to be a part of a
school that openly accepts our diversity
of gifts and backgrounds, as well as
challenging our prejudice.
Secondly I would like to congratulate the
school for building this amazing Multi-
Purpose Centre for us, including the new
canteen, gymnasium and classrooms.
And who better to name this stunning
achievement after than our one and
only, Sister John. During my time at
Marian College Sister John has been a
pillar of hope and support for every new
student who walks through the College
gates.
When I was in Year Eight Sister John
would help in my maths class and, at
the time, I was nearly determined to not
learn Maths, but one person stood in my
way. Simply using tenderness, time and
care she forcibly rammed long division
into my brain. She fundamentally
taught me Maths for which I am forever
grateful. And I really enjoyed Sister
John’s croquet lessons.
I am positive that in her time at Marian
College Sister John has touched the
hearts of not only me but also hundreds
of students before and after, whether it
is through classroom help or homework
help. No matter rain or shine Sister
John will always greet you in her warm,
radiant smile and a “good morning” or
a “good afternoon”. She has shown us
by example the Marian Collage value “to
celebrate all that is good with joy and
gratitude”.
The new Sister John Spurr Multi Purpose
Centre well undoubtedly provide
enjoyable school experiences and be a
gathering place to celebrate religious,
cultural, educational and social events.
I would also like to make welcome the
new house system for 2013. The houses
are appropriately named after the four
founding Brigidine Sisters of Marian
College who arrived in Australia in 1888.
House Clancy and the image of the white
dove, symbolizing peace, care, devotion,
purity and gentleness.
House Barron and the image of fire,
symbolizing purification, light, energy
and warmth.
House Kelly and the image of the jeweled
sword. As the story goes St. Brigid gave
away her father’s valuable jeweled sword
to a needy family so that they could sell
it for food and shelter, showing kindness
and compassion for her fellow man.
House Synnott, with its symbol of the
burning lamp that represents the light of
Christ and the guiding light to the future.
These attributes give us a really
good insight into the hardships and
determination of our founding sisters and
what they had to endure. They left their
homes in Ireland and travel all the way
to Australia, of all places, and create this
College with nothing but blood, sweat,
prayers and compassion.
All of the new Houses hold powerful
meaning to not just Marian College but
to the community of Ararat and the wider
school body. Hopefully every member of
each astounding new house will be able
to take away these insights and apply
them not only to athletics and swimming
carnivals, but also towards their attitude
within the school, whether it be academic
achievements, extra curricula activities
or simply helping out a teacher.
In conclusion, I would like to applaud the
2013 theme chosen for Marian College.
“In Learning we Grow”. This statement
gives significant meaning to not just
me, but every student in Marian College.
Marian has always strived to support
its students through whatever means
necessary and in turn has created a
stable, nurturing and loving environment
for students to grow and reach their
full potential and to develop a love of
learning, hope and a sense of purpose.
Marian College has taught us as we
grow through our school years to
understand and practice social justice
and community service. For throughout
my time at Marian, I have not only grown
in knowledge, but also in spirit, heart
and character.
I thank every member of staff for
providing me with the skills, courage and
conviction for me to stand before you
today. As School Captain I would like
that to be my aim for 2013, that through
strength and gentleness, Marian College
will continue to provide sanctuary for
students to further develop the content
of their character.