Joshua Seward, 2021 College Captain
‘Culture’ – you have heard it before and you will hear it again, but more importantly, hopefully as a member of the Augustinian community, you can look back on this in 12 months and see a difference for the better in the behaviour and camaraderie of the College as a whole.
Last Friday marked the beginning to a new year of student leadership, filled with high hopes, an extremely passionate group and possibly some delusional optimism given the current nature of the world. Since then, Vice-Captain Sam Eden and I had the opportunity to speak with Year 9 boys in their Year Group mini meeting. This was an invaluable opportunity to communicate our goals for the year and how boys can buy into the ‘culture’ we are promoting.
We, the Student Leaders of 2021 stand by the pledge we made at the Appointment Assembly. Especially when we promised, “To work for the good of our students and the St Augustine’s College community and provide a good example and show courage in acting against injustice and wrongdoing.” And most importantly, “We shall always remember that the good name of the College will be measured by our conduct.”
Our message to Saints students is that we are here for you, we strive to be like big brothers to the Middle School boys. We want you to know that all Senior School members will help support you and we will look out for you.
However, as a result of a fight between two students and the bystander behaviour, we spoke about recognising that whilst mistakes can lead to poor choices in regard to behaviour like this, it will not be tolerated. This message is crucial. The 2021 Student Leadership group is clear and we have clearly drawn the line in what we believe to be acceptable actions as not only an Augustinian, but a young man in general. Over the next few weeks, we will be speaking to both Year 7 and Year 8 students to reiterate the message that we are a community and we are committed to assisting them on their St Augustine’s journey. We feel as a group, there is an unprecedented opportunity to make a difference at the College as we hope to reshape the Augustinian model in a post COVID-19 era, further creating an environment where respect and standing up for your mate no matter what, are incontestable qualities imperative to being part of our school.
Due to the brilliant leadership of the 2020 Student Leadership group, our 2021 team has a foundation to build upon, which we are extremely grateful for and hope to capitalise on in the next 12 months. Over the next year, the new leadership group has pinpointed school culture as an area we believe is central to the expansion of the College’s reputation.
As a student, I’ve recognised that whilst the school thrives in a variety of academic and co-curricular spaces, there is still an opportunity to cultivate these areas and forge them together, creating an even more united community, as opposed to a school that succeeds in many areas individually. We also wish to further promote the Bishops Shield and provide new opportunities for students in the Primary and Middle Schools to build their legacy as Augustinians in the College. Following this a Year 9 touch football competition will be established, and the leadership team are busy organising further initiatives for Middle School boys, whilst also working with the SRC in organising an upcoming fundraiser for Brain Cancer and the potential of some movements to discuss Mental Health. In organising these events our hope is to raise both awareness and money for crucial causes, whilst also banding the school together in a community that is much larger than each individual, promoting the camaraderie and values stated earlier.
So, the ball is rolling and on behalf of the Student Leadership Team of 2021, welcome everyone to a new chapter in the College. Strap in, get excited, smile and dream big, because due to the 2020 team keeping us afloat with everything we have gone through, 2021 is the year we fly.
Josh Seward
