Principals Message
Dear Lumen Families
Welcome to the 2025 school year. We are looking forward to a terrific year of learning this year, and in strengthening our Lumen Christi Catholic College Learning Community.
Our Scriptural theme for the year comes from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans. He teaches us to “Be joyful in hope!” which is a wonderful way to remember what potentials we have and what marvellous things we can do together.
I met with various year groups and classes across primary middle and senior school students this week. I was struck by their openness, enthusiasm and readiness to be part of this College. In my meetings I shared with them a few messages and keys to success. Among the things that I spoke with about were these five points:
- 90% of your success in life is about showing up! Attendance at school is crucial, so everyday that the school is open for classes, excursion, sports days, retreats and liturgies, be there. Our community is built on participation and continuity. Be with us.
- Be organised. We have issued diaries to students from year 5 through to year 10, rebuilding a strong culture of organisation, planning and preparedness. This was once a feature of Lumen which we gave over to technology some years ago. It was a mistake, because we assumed too much about the capacity of the platforms, and too little about student knowledge of how to manage this aspect of their studies. I encourage parents to help children to plan and organise their days.
- Develop your Attentiveness. Our world has many distractions that draw our attention in many directions. Focus your attentions intentionally. Ask yourself, what distracts me? Many will recognise the easy attraction of the phone, streaming services, social media and so on. (I’m a terrible ‘doom-scroller’- it has to stop). At Lumen our mobile phone rule is “It’s Off and Away- All Day”. A mobile phone buzzing in a pocket is the surest way to take learning attention from the front of the brain to the buzzing in the pocket. Thinking is damaged by constant interruption of attention.
- Reading and knowledge. One of the most important things that you can do to enhance your learning is to become a good reader. All of us should read widely and frequently, with an eye to making connections between what we read and what we know. Families can support this by modelling reading habits to one another, setting aside time for uninterrupted reading, and discussing the knowledge contained in our books, and articles.
- Be the Light of Christ and shine your light. I asked many students about what is required of Lumen students. They all were able to tell me about our school motto and vision and they elaborated about how to live this good life. “Be kind”, they said, “include others”, “help out”, “share”, “show compassion”. We have a great school built on strong values. Our students are ready to live these values every day.
Enjoy the year, being joyful in hope!
Shane Giles
Principal