Principal's Message Week 4 Term 3

When my eldest son was five years old, I distinctly recall a profound yet innocent question he asked me. A question that could only come from a small child; a beautiful, yet poignant question in all its naivete.

He looked at me, bewildered, and posed: “Daddy, why can’t people just love each other?” and doubled down with a follow-on question: “Why aren’t people kind?”

If you knew my eldest son, you would understand. To this day he is still one of the most sensitive, gentle and loving men you will ever meet. By his own admission, he will confess that as an adult with these same qualities, this bears a cost in a world that is indeed not always loving and kind.

I was reminded of this lasting exchange when I listened to a podcast last week from an American Catholic Bishop. He was talking about how his podcast often receives vile, and vicious comments on each of his episodes. He commented on the nastiness levels, and the mobs that tend to form online, with a blame culture. A culture that is inherently negative and mean-spirited. He goes on to talk about scapegoating, and the community that people often form in a negative online space.

Everyone has an opinion, and everyone has a right to express said opinion. My question though is how necessary is it that the whole universe needs to be the recipient of an individual opinion, on almost any topic. It never fails to surprise (and at times disappoint) me, that the most innocuous of social media posts can attract vile, mean, and spiteful commentary. When one is on the receiving end of this negativity it can be deeply hurtful. And it can stay there forever. It is difficult to erase, and almost impossible to defend.

If we put as much energy into our gestures and acts of kindness, the world and our individual lives would be a different place. If we put as much energy into pouring out love for our neighbour, we might begin to counter the cult of the individual, and the “me not we” attitude that pervades many hearts.

Every religion and world philosophy basically conforms to the Chrisitan Gospel tenet of the Golden Rule (Mt 7:12): ¹²“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” This reciprocal call requires us to examine the kind of respect and dignity we afford ourselves, which should be our benchmark that we then afford our neighbour. If we adhere to this simple principle of self-respect, and love for the other, again we will all be advantaged. Our Catholic worldview, and certainly the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice calls us not only to love our neighbour, but to have a heart for the poor; and to lift them up by our works of charity and justice, through our equitable practices, with solidarity and subsidiarity as hallmarks.

My eldest son is now in his mid-thirties. I am a proud dad for many reasons. Mostly I am proud that all of my children are kind at heart and readily share the love they have for their neighbour – those they know, and those they have never met.

I know that there is immense generosity of heart, spirit, and good fortune in our Ambrose Treacy community. I would expect nothing less to be honest. I am constantly humbled by the donation of time, talent, energy, and love that is poured out for others in our school and well beyond. Putting our hand in our pockets and pulling out our wallets is important. What is also important is the use of our time for others. The engagement of our skills and talents, and the simple daily discipline of warmth of heart we extend to our fellow men and women is priceless.

Kindness and gentleness will never go out of fashion. Love is the answer to much of the world’s hate and fear. Sometimes it is easy to criticise, condemn, and complain. It is harder to dig into our wellspring of patience, tolerance, and generosity. I continue to ask us all to inculcate this kind of heart in our boys and young men anyway.

Haircuts and hurry-ups

It's at this time of term where attention to a few things appears to be slipping a little. I remind all parents about appropriate haircuts including length and styling of hair. There are more than a few boys who would benefit from a trip to the barber. Is this your son? In addition, boys must be cleanly shaven, not sporting a three-day growth.

Homeroom commences at 8.30am and all boys should be arriving at the College wearing their College blazer, and likewise when they leave in the afternoons. Please help us help our community uphold the high standards we expect of each other.

Dr Craig Wattam

College Principal

DISCOVERY TOUR - Thursday 27 August

Join us for a Discovery Tour on Thursday 27 August, 9am to 10.30am and see ATC in action! Meet College Principal Dr Craig Wattam, connect with staff and students, and explore our state‑of‑the‑art facilities. Experience the energy of a boys’ school and see how our outstanding educators inspire hard work, motivation, and a love of learning. Discovery Tour: Book Here