Principal’s Address:
Year 7-9 Awards Ceremony 2025
Today we gather to celebrate the end of the academic calendar in a year where we have focused on Joy and the building of a culture that celebrates resilience, gratitude, positivity, being present in the moment, building nurturing memories and finding joy in the service of others.
We also take this opportunity to recognise the successes, strength, determination and passion exhibited by our young women in 2025. So much has been achieved, both academically and more broadly, by our students who have had the courage to impact on each other with positivity and kindness whilst honouring their own dreams and capabilities.
I want to thank the parents and carers of our young women for their support and commitment to the growth of their loved ones. I also thank their teachers for the exceptional learning opportunities and guidance they have provided this year.
This year we have found that joy is our birthright, it is even more fundamental than happiness. We experience joy when we seek to do good for others. The more we turn towards others, the more joy we experience, and the more joy we experience, the more joy we can bring to others. We have aspired to live according to the advice of Desmond Tutu who says that each of us should aim “to be a reservoir of joy, an oasis of peace, a pool of serenity that can ripple out to all those around us.”
We have found that Joy is contagious.
At the start of this year I outlined what can help us to be joy-filled human beings, even in the face of loneliness, suffering, injustice, fear, sadness, grief and despair. Four pillars of joy were associated with the mind, and four with the heart. It might help to reflect on each…
The Pillars of the MIND were:
- Perspective: Did I “reframe” my situation more positively? Could I move beyond my limited focus on “I”, “Me” and “Mine” to “We”, “Us”, and “Ours”?
- Humility: Did I see myself as one with all living beings? Did I accept that I am no better than anyone else and that I am inter-dependent and need others to survive?
- Humour: Could I gently laugh at my own foibles? Did I smile often enough? Did I connect with others through generative laughter?
- Acceptance: Did I accept the realities of my own life or did I worry too much about things I couldn’t control? Was I able to be creative rather than reactive?
The Pillars of the HEART were:
- Forgiveness: Did I choose forgiveness over hatred and resentment?
- Gratitude: Did I come to realise how fortunate I am? Did I wake up everyday thankful that I am alive? Did I allow myself to feel wonder, surprise, thankfulness and gratitude?
- Compassion: Did I see the needs of others? Did I do anything about their suffering?
And lastly
- Generosity: Did I seek to make others happy? Did I give my time, wisdom, care and help to others?
Did we open ourselves to moments of surprise, the beauty of little every-day things and so gather memories to cherish and sustain us in darker times?
As members of the Merici community, we know we are loved unconditionally. We know we are precious. We know that God wants us to be filled with life and goodness and laughter – and joy. God wants us to flourish, to be filled with joy and excitement and to find what is beautiful in God’s creation.
I believe that many of you have achieved the personal goals set at the start of this year.
Congratulations.
If you didn’t, welcome to the world of aspiration and determination – a place where most of us exist! The author of the Little Prince said “True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new.” Remember these words as you look to next year.
That being said, have a wonderful safe and restorative break!
Merry Christmas and every blessing to you all.
Anna Masters
Principal
