Principal's Message
This week interviews for Year 7 2023 began and we have the privilege of speaking
with many different families and students from different backgrounds and
circumstances. One thing that most families share in common is the desire for a
‘good school’ and a good education.
At SJPC it is so important that we don’t cut corners when it comes to learning and
education in all its forms whether it focuses on spiritual, academic, social or general
growth. Hard work is required by all involved including staff, students and parents.
Our attitude to learning is fundamental to successful outcomes.
How do I see what I am doing will make a difference? Am I in the right mindset to
ultimately contribute to my own success and the success of others?
Education is the ‘house’ we are building to live in for the rest of our lives. We must
build the very best house we can. It is vital that we keep in mind the big picture, to
understand the interconnectedness of everything we choose to do.
Seeing the Big Picture
Sometimes we become so bogged down in the details that we forget our purpose.
We don’t study just to pass examinations, for instance; what we learn is for our total
education and to help make us fulfilled human beings.
When St Paul’s Cathedral was being built in London, its architect, Sir Christopher
Wren, was in the habit of making frequent visits to the building site. He wandered
round from craftsman to craftsman, watching and noting each stage of construction.
Sometimes he would pause and ask a worker what he was doing.
“I’m carving a keystone for the arch,” a stonemason would reply.
“I’m building a door for the west entrance,” a carpenter would answer, or
“I’m forging the metalwork for the screen”, a blacksmith would say.
One day, Sir Christopher spotted a small boy standing alongside a bucket of water
and a pile of hay. It was the boy’s job to water and feed the horses which pulled the
wagonloads of building material up the hill to the site.
Sir Christopher went up to the boy and asked him what he was doing.
The boy replied with pride, “I’m helping Sir Christopher Wren build a cathedral”.
God bless
Michael Carniato
Principal
