I’d like to take a moment to reflect on 2025 and this point in time as it adds to our story and ongoing history for this wonderful school and its community.
Thirty-six years have elapsed since Chisholm Catholic College began from the amalgamation of Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Marks’ College. It would be fair to say that much has been achieved through that journey but of greatest importance is the many students (in their thousands in fact) that have moved beyond this place, with the indelible imprint and formation of the Chisholm experience. Our hope and mission has always been that the experience and learning has truly added value and prepared each one of them positively and in different ways for the future, whatever it looked like.
Tonight is no different. We recognise this latest year’s achievements and the hard work and efforts of all of our students but especially our award winners. Congratulations to you all.
As with other years, our various programmes and courses always seek to provide enriching learning opportunities whether it be within a classroom context or in other ways through so many experiential interactions with other schools and places of learning. Describing all of this mosaic of teaching and learning activity would take a long time but it’s pleasing to see the broad range of opportunities continue to be built upon, much of which will again feature in our College Annual for this year.
In many facets of College life so many students distinguish themselves through academic excellence, through exceptional performances in the Practical and Creative Arts, in Sporting prowess, in exemplary leadership and in committing themselves to engage in what is on offer and making the most of it. It certainly makes us proud of having been part of the successes.
It should also be said that amongst the academic and educational success we continue to work hard at maintaining a strong pastoral and nurturing environment for students, recognising that everyone learns best when they feel secure and connected and they belong. In the rapidly changing world around us, this can be increasingly challenging but I applaud the efforts of all of the hard-working staff and those working most directly in this space, especially the Heads of Year.
I also extend my appreciation to the College Executive Leadership Team, a tight knit group of highly capable leaders that play such a pivotal role in ensuring that Chisholm operates so effectively and so well as a Catholic secondary school of recognised quality.
My sincere thanks to our College Advisory Council led by Glen Jacobson, our Parent Engagement Group and our College Alumni and all our devoted volunteers and supporters, past students and those who regard themselves as friends of Chisholm. The support and input of all of these people who go beyond simply being connected to Chisholm is invaluable and much appreciated.
I especially thank our teachers and the administration and support staff. They all form part of a wider team, ever present with goodwill and dedication towards their vital role, however demanding and whatever it may be on any given day. It’s a privilege to walk alongside such committed people, always smiling and joyful in their vocation, and professional, in their work.
To our parents, grandparents and caregivers, I once again thank you for your faith and trust. Your support and partnership in this journey we value greatly. Together we meet the challenge of educating your child with the best outcomes in mind, every year, as we grapple with the 21st century and all it entails. We look forward to the same end goal, nurturing and educating your child to become the best young adult they can be when their Graduation Day eventually arrives.
As you know, 2026 will see a change of era for Chisholm and its leadership as we welcome Mr Simon Harvey to take up the leadership of the College and to continue the journey and the great work of those who have come before us. I have no doubt that Simon will continue to take the College forward, in new and responsive directions, with innovation and renewed vision.
The end of this year is also significant as we recognise the closing of a number of careers through retirement and the movement of staff to other places. We congratulate and acknowledge whole-heartedly the fantastic long-term contributions of Mrs Rosemairy Ovenden, Mrs Ingrid Chidlow, Mr John White, Mrs Jenni Kastropil, and Mrs Cally Black as they head to retirement. Their service and dedication to Chisholm Catholic College and to Catholic Education generally, is much appreciated.
It would be remiss of me not to highlight the enormous and unwavering contribution and support of Mr Graham Adam, our retiring College Business Manager, who has been instrumental in overseeing the financial and operational management of this school and played such a big part in its strategic success.
We also say farewell and thank you to a number of other long-and-shorter-term staff who will leave us at the end of the year. Of particular note are Mrs Nicole Huggins who leaves us to become Vice Principal at Mercedes College and Miss Jessica Martin who will be a Deputy Principal at St Brigid’s College. We congratulate them both on these very deserved promotions.
Sadly, we also farewell Father Ziggy Wloczek who has served our community so well as our College Chaplain over the past seven years. He has nourished us constantly with his spiritual insight, guidance and good humour.
Once again, to our students I thank and congratulate all of you for your efforts, not just those who we acknowledge for the wonderful achievements of this year but to every one of you and for all that you hope to achieve. It is you, individually and collectively, that make our working life and vocation, worthwhile.
As I finish my time, I know there will be that same indelible imprint and a place always reserved in my heart, for Chisholm.
Thank you.
Mr John Bormolini
Principal
