Grow in Christ – A New Year, A New Chapter

Today we gather at a special moment in the life of Chisholm Catholic College. We come together not only to open a new school year, the beginning of 2026, but also to mark the beginning of a new chapter under new leadership.

Whenever something new begins, there is a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. New hopes. New expectations. New possibilities. And it is exactly at moments like this that our school Motto speaks clearly to us: “Grow in Christ.”

Growth is at the heart of education. Schools exist so that young people can grow – in knowledge, in skills and in confidence. But as a Catholic community, we know that the deepest and most important growth is growth of the heart and spirit. Jesus often spoke about growth using images from everyday life – seeds planted in the soil, vines and branches, wheat growing quietly in the field. These images remind us that growth is not rushed. It takes time. It requires care. It happens best when we are deeply rooted. To grow in Christ means that everything we do – learning, teaching, leading, serving – is grounded in the values of the Gospel: love, compassion, justice, forgiveness and hope.

As we begin this year with a new Principal, we give thanks for the leadership that has gone before and we pray for the leadership that now begins. Leadership in a Catholic school is not just about direction or decisions; it is about service. It is about creating a community where every person is known, valued and encouraged to grow into the person God calls them to be.

For students, growing in Christ this year may mean:

• Being willing to try, even when learning feels challenging
• Choosing respect and kindness in how you treat others
• Taking responsibility for your actions and your learning.

For staff, growing in Christ may mean:

• Continuing to teach with dedication and care
• Seeing each student as more than a result or a behaviour, but as a child of God
• Walking alongside young people with patience, wisdom and hope.

For all of us, growing in Christ means remembering that we are one community. Growth is not something we do alone. Like branches on the one vine, we are connected. When one person struggles, we support. When one person succeeds, we celebrate.

At the beginning of this new year and this new chapter, Christ invites us to trust him. He invites us to place our plans, our hopes and even our uncertainties in his hands, knowing that he walks with us.

So, as we open the 2026 school year at Chisholm Catholic College, let us pray that we may grow:

• in wisdom and understanding
• in faith and compassion
• and above all, to grow in Christ, together.

May this year be one of learning, belonging and hope – firmly imbedded in Christ and open to the future God is calling us to.

Fr Ziggy Wloczek SDS