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Past Principal<br />
Into the 31st Year of<br />
“Growth” at <strong>Loyola</strong><br />
<strong>College</strong><br />
Students first gathered at <strong>Loyola</strong><br />
on Tuesday, 5 February, 1980,<br />
with their chairs and desks<br />
arriving only just in time the<br />
previous Friday! <strong>The</strong> inaugural<br />
School Assembly opened with<br />
introduction to Ignatius of <strong>Loyola</strong><br />
(1491-1556), founder of the Jesuit<br />
religious order and our patron saint. After the Ignatian prayer<br />
for generosity (“…to give and not to count the cost…”) I<br />
explained to the 134 Year 7’s and 10 staff that Ignatius had a<br />
vision for: finding God in all things, being men and women<br />
for others, personal philosophy favouring action over words,<br />
priority of care for the whole child (not just the brain!),<br />
importance of communications (eg public speaking) and<br />
preference for excellence in striving to do one’s best (where<br />
“near enough” is insufficient). For Ignatius this is the “growth”<br />
that matters; the cake rather than the candles.<br />
During 28½ years at <strong>Loyola</strong> it was a privilege to encounter<br />
Ignatius in our students in so many different ways. Classroom<br />
teaching was limited to just 7 years: 3 of Year 7 Living Skills,<br />
2 of Year 12 Religious Education, and 1 each of Year 9<br />
Geography (of India) and Year 8 Health and Human Relations.<br />
However, for 15 years the Deputy and I presided over Saturday<br />
Detention! Debating and public speaking especially opened up<br />
opportunities for ”growth”. In coaching a team in the annual<br />
Debaters Association of Victoria competition for 23 years,<br />
from 1985 (that team threw confetti at my wedding!) to 2007, I<br />
accompanied about 130 women and men as they became skilled<br />
at listening carefully and sensitively to others and confident in<br />
holding their own in a forum.<br />
Many of my debaters have made their mark for others including:<br />
Heather Phillips (L:95-98) as Anglican Deacon to be ordained<br />
Priest in November, Shannon Donahoo (L:92-97) studying<br />
for the Catholic Priesthood in Rome, Nerise Young (L:00-<br />
05) in services at Rex Airlines, Leah Ray (L:94-99) and Mark<br />
O’Dowd (L:96-00) in Catholic Education at <strong>Loyola</strong> and Penola<br />
respectively and Loretta Thorn (L:82-87) as medical specialist.<br />
I also think of Dr Jane Connor (L:81-83) from Medecins Sans<br />
Frontieres and Senior Constable Fiona De Leeuw(Robinson)<br />
(L:82-86) of the Victoria Police who died in line of duty.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is much “growth” to celebrate!<br />
Mr John Kennedy<br />
VALE<br />
We acknowledge those past students and teachers<br />
whose anniversary occurs in the first part of the<br />
year, including:<br />
John Asta (L:87-89)<br />
Sonja Pecnik (L:82-87)<br />
Jennifer Nailer (L:84-89)<br />
Nello Regani (L:85-03)<br />
Marie Robinson (L:85-01)<br />
Fiona Robinson (De Leeuw L:82-86)<br />
Noel Thompson (L:81-96)<br />
Francine Nihill (L:82-86)<br />
Andrew Williams (L:87)<br />
Angelique D’Agostino (L:87-88)<br />
Annalisa Tonietto (L:84-01)<br />
Natalie Juricevic (L:96-01)<br />
We continue to keep them in our prayers<br />
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Would you prefer to receive <strong>The</strong> <strong>Companion</strong> via email Y / N<br />
Please return to LEXSA Secretary, <strong>Loyola</strong> <strong>College</strong>, 325 Grimshaw Street, Watsonia 3087<br />
OR respond via email to: secretary@lexsa.org.au<br />
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