From the Principal
We begin this new school year grounded in faith, united in hope, and inspired by the call to live with purpose. Our 2026 theme is a powerful one, “With goodness at heart, we unite in action.”
This year’s theme calls us to move from intention to impact. It is a reminder that goodness is not something we simply admire, it is something we do. Our College has always been shaped by our conviction and motto: “Goodness above all.”
But this is not just a motto. I hope for students it is a way of seeing the world. It is a challenge to choose compassion when it is easier to turn away, to choose integrity when shortcuts tempt us, and to choose service when comfort calls us elsewhere.
And in thinking about our College motto, but even more so our 2026 theme, I was immediately drawn to Dame Marie Bashir, a woman I admire and respect deeply.
Most of you would be aware that Marie Bashir passed away last month at the age of 95. Marie was an extraordinary woman who lived a life of service and her work touched so many people. She was an optimist with a deep belief in the essential decency of human kind.
Born in the Riverina town of Narrandera in 1930, Marie grew up in a family who valued education and expected her and her siblings to “study hard and do well at school” …
Marie attended Sydney Girls High school and also studied at the Conservatorium of Music, becoming an accomplished violinist. She was unsure of whether to pursue a career in music or medicine. She did, however, have some doctors in her extended family and had been brought up with the notion that to practise medicine was to pay a debt to society and to help the needy. What a beautiful example of our College theme!
Marie married Nick Shehadie, a member of the Wallabies, the Australian rugby team, who later became the lord mayor of Sydney. They moved to Pendle Hill, Western Sydney, where there are many stories of her sometimes forgetting, or rather choosing not to charge patients but accepting chickens or produce from their farms.
When her general medical practice made her increasingly aware of anxiety and depression among young people, she studied psychiatry and the family moved to Mosman, nearer to teaching hospitals where she could continue her important work.
Marie’s career in mental health, and activities helping the disadvantaged and dispossessed established her reputation as a carer. With three children, she was named Mother of the Year in 1971. Marie did not shy away from struggle or from taking action. She saw many needs and wanted to help. She went to China in 1974, during Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, to learn from the “barefoot doctors” in villages. She set up an Aboriginal mental health unit in NSW, where the people could feel that their history and culture were respected. Later, she helped to found Women for Wik, joining their fight for land rights. By 1993, she was clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Sydney. Later she was a director of the NSW Health Department’s mental health services.
And, as if this wasn’t enough, in 2001, she became the first female Governor of NSW. In this role she continued to lead with humanity. She served with warmth, intellect and empathy, acting with “goodness at heart” ensuring that all corners of society were included, seen and treated with dignity. She is the second longest serving Governor of NSW and served for over 13 years.
Her dedication to justice, her tireless advocacy for the vulnerable, and her unwavering belief in the dignity of every person stand as a shining example of what “goodness above all” looks like in action.
With goodness in her heart, she united with others and took action to make society a more just, loving and dignified place. Since her passing, the tributes have continued to flow in and Marie has been described as a “formidable force for good”, “a renaissance woman who blended hard work and sophistication with idealism”, “a humble role model who always took time to listen” and “ a powerful advocate for the powerless.” She truly role modelled what it meant to lead with humanity.
She was an exceptional woman and role model who, with goodness at heart – united with others and took action to make the world a better place – may she rest in peace.
We also look to Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, another extraordinary woman and foundress of the Marist Sisters, whose spirit continues to shape our identity. Jeanne-Marie was a woman of deep faith, quiet strength, and extraordinary humility. She, with goodness and strong faith in her heart, took action and this was back in a time that was far more difficult for women. In the early 1800’s in France, she faced many challenges and obstacles but with goodness and faith at heart she persevered and was able to pave the way for other Marist Sisters to live lives of action and to serve “where the needs were greatest”. She encouraged her sisters to serve quietly, to act without seeking praise, and to bring Christ’s presence into every encounter.
Both of these trail blazing women’s work reminds us that goodness is not passive. It is active, courageous, and deeply human. Their legacy invites us to look outward, to notice those who need support, and to respond with the same compassion, to unite and take action.
We can certainly be good and create goodness ourselves but it can become so much more powerful and impactful when we unite.
When we unite in action:
- our classrooms become places of curiosity, discovery and respect,
- our playgrounds become places of friendship, safety and sisterhood
- our community becomes a place where every person knows they matter and is valued
This unity does not mean sameness. It means shared purpose. It means every student recognises that each of them brings gifts that enrich our community. Their talents, creativity and courage; their compassion, leadership and goodness… All of these help us grow – these are the threads that weave our community together.
So as we begin this new school year, let us allow the examples of Marie Bashir and Jeanne-Marie Chavoin to guide us. Let us allow Christ to continue to shape us. And let us step into this school year with hearts ready to serve, minds ready to learn and with goodness at heart, we unite in action…
