BOARD OF TRUSTEES GRADUATION SPEECH

(The photo is of Mrs De-Goldi with Father D K O'Sullivan at the Graduation ceremony 09.)

Good evening friends of the College, parents, caregivers and families, staff and students

A job description for Boards of Trustees:

"A board is ultimately responsible to its school community and to the state for the performance of the school. It has a stewardship role: it must be confident that it is meeting its legislative obligations and serving the best interests of student learning and achievement."  [1]

Legislative obligations need no further explanation.  The second part "Serving our students" is really why we are here.  How does St Thomas "serve [its] students"? 

Probably most Board time is spent on matters connected in some way to money.  We are not a wealthy school so sometimes it's an exercise in loaves and fish.  Money supplements the government's payments to provide extra staff.  Money pays for new buildings and things to put inside them.   Allocating where to put the scare dollars to "serve the best interests of student learning and achievement" is the challenge. 

Successive governments talk about "free education" but free education has never existed in Catholic schools.  As a team relies on every player to do their bit, so do we look to everyone to share the load.  Thank you to all families who pay their way.  To those who won't, know that in essence, others pay your share.

To "serve our students best" we must have teachers who want to engage with students, provide buildings that students want to be in and have resources that students want to make use of.  The opening of the Brother Norm Gillies Library and Information Centre was an exciting day for the College this year.  More development is afoot.  The Board is pleased to announce that our proprietor, the Christian Brothers, has agreed to resource a three phase building programme.  Stage One includes a two storey, eight classroom block including resource space, a science laboratory and technology area.  The toilet block is to be replaced.   Building could begin next year.  The details of Stage 2 which include a gymnasium are progressing.

But there is more to a school than bricks and mortar.   St Thomas' may have modest premises but its staff is first rate.  Tonight we farewell the loved and lovely Gerry Kelly. A man who has fostered and exemplifies this excellence.  More on Gerry later in the evening but Gerry's resignation meant a job for the Board - finding a replacement.  The role of spiritual leader is critical to the spiritual life of students and staff and the focus of this College and we welcome Paul Donnelly with confidence.  Paul has spent time spent in service with the Christian Brothers, worked at Paremoremo, taught at Liston and Catholic Cathedral and is currently DRS at St Bedes. 

At Board meetings, Principal Christine O'Brien reports to us under a number of headings.  Invariably, those reports focus on Ministry compliance: whether student targets in achievement are being met, progress in relation to the new curriculum and so forth.  While the necessities are meticulously covered by Christine, she also keeps us abreast of the highlights of the preceding month - student highlights.  Group achievement and individual success cover the range from academic to sporting and cultural to service and social.  It's great for the Board to hear what's happening on a real person level, and I think it's indicative of how your principal thinks about the students of this school.  How proud she is of you when you achieve to the best of your abilities.  It's not always about being first or winning, it's about doing the best you can. 

As Christine completes her first full year in the principal's role, it is timely to recognise how well St Thomas' is served by her.  The Board is grateful for her commitment and passion for the job.  Your principal exceeds our expectations in all areas.  Treasure her. 

Best wishes from the Board to departing students especially our Year 13s.  Cardinal Newman wrote "Go forth upon thy journey, Christian soul!" [2]

He was thinking of the journey to everlasting life but your farewell here tonight is to a life beyond St Thomas'.    Remember what you have learned and above all be good men.  Make your school proud and be proud of your school.

To my colleagues on the Board, it is pleasure to work with you.  Thank you.

Good night.

Mrs Margaret Mary De-Goldi