Our college theme for 2024 is, “Be curious, shape the new.” This theme was developed by our senior school leaders with the support of a staff team.

Last week I worked with my Year 12 Human Journey class to explore how we have, and could, bring this theme to life.

We considered how we might apply this to being a member of the Galen Catholic College community.  As we explored the theme, I asked my class what they believe the key messages are that I should share with our community in future assemblies. Our Year 12 students have had the opportunity to reflect on our theme for three days, while they were away on retreat earlier this term at Falls Creek.

Firstly, my class of Year 12’s believe the theme encourages every student at Galen Catholic College to get out of their comfort zone and start something new.

I then asked the class how a student may do this, while at the same time, I considered how a staff member may do this.

The group focussed on taking the chance to create new friendships throughout their years at Galen Catholic College. This is at the heart of being curious, this does involve at times getting out of your comfort zone. It can be a little risky, it can make you nervous, but the rewards are worth it.

I firmly believe that every conversation is an opportunity. An opportunity to shape the new and engage with other students beyond your current friendship groups. This is particularly so at the start of every school year. One of the best ways to do this is by simply starting a conversation or engaging in one.

Galen Catholic College is a large secondary school, there will always be opportunities to connect with new students or to reconnect with friendships that may have had in your junior years.

This was highlighted to me in my retreat group last week. One student in the group believed the best activity they were involved in, was when she and another student with whom she spent time socialising during her junior years, reconnected. This happened through an activity we conducted on the final afternoon as we walked around the facility’s grounds. I know that several students also found this activity to be their favourite.

Old friendships and new friendships are everywhere in a community of this size. These friendships lead to new opportunities.

The second theme the class spoke to when reflecting on how we could bring our theme to life was all students should explore everything. I fully agreed that staff should do the same.

When I asked what this looks like and what evidence shows they have tried new things, the group were quick to highlight the following.

Our extensive learning pathways which provide opportunities to engage in VET subjects such as Agriculture, Building and Construction, IT or Sport and Recreation. Exploring everything also had the class highlighting opportunities for engaging in activities such as VEX Robotics, local and international immersions, leadership positions and social justice and sustainability opportunities. The exact same could said for our staff. What pleases me the most is each of these opportunities listed by the students are facilitated by our passionate educators who help our students to explore everything.

These are all examples of what my Year 12 Human Journey class listed that showed they had been curious, where they decided to shape the new. While our Year 12 students only have a short time left with us at Galen Catholic College – 241 days to be exact – I know that based on their engagement in their retreat and the feedback I received from my Human Journey class, they are determined to be curious and shape the new for themselves and their year level, as they lead us throughout 2024.

To conclude our class activity, I asked the class if there were any other comments they thought might align with our theme for 2024.  One group of boys encouraged Tom to share a quote that he had heard before.

Tom said, “You always miss 100% of the shots you do not take.”

I love this quote and it is so true. So, for 2024 I will encourage our students and staff to take their shot and not let the opportunity slip by. In challenging ourselves and those around us we can be curious and shape the new for Galen Catholic College in 2024.