2025 Newsletter Term 3: week 6

Dear parents,

St Augustine, whose feast day was commemorated this week, was one of the most influential figures in history. Think of the nature of God, grace, the sacraments, marriage, family life and the relationship between the Church, civil and political life and you are probably thinking with the mind of Augustine. But it almost came to nought.

Born to a pagan father and a Christian mother, Aurelius started out in life in the vein of his father and it was only though the famously persevering prayer of his mother, St Monica, that Aurelius became Augustine, bishop, doctor of the Church and, ultimately, canonised saint.

Augustine himself did not come quietly, so to speak. Almost everything he said also became famous, including, "Lord, give me chastity, but not yet." St Monica struggled with a wayward son, while Augustine struggled with his conscience, becoming for us models of fruitful struggle. Struggle, in fact, is normal.

In some ways, when students are at school, struggle is the learning. If it is too easy, then what learning can possibly be going on? This is not to say that the life of a full-time student ought not be joyful, inspirational, friendly, successful and supported. Just that struggle is normal and none should be tempted to discouragement or put off simply by the fact of it.

I believe that each of our students has a unique, fruitful and indispensable role to play in the mission of the Church; a role no less significant than that of St Augustine. No doubt their role will be a struggle, but that's completely normal.

Thank you for your support.

Warm regards,

Ian Smith

Principal