From the Principal

WHAT OR HOW?

‘Little did either of us then dream of what was to spring from so small a beginning.’ – Mary MacKillop 1891 As I write this reflection, it has been just over a fortnight since I, along with my fellow inaugural “Lutheran principal pilgrims”, completed the Aussie Camino. A fortnight on, I have one physical reminder of the trip of slightly tired feet and numerous spiritual and leadership insights. As I wandered around the Mary MacKillop Penola Centre on our last day of The Aussie Camino, it was both enlightening and inspiring to reflect upon the story where Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods made their dream a reality. Woven within this dream and the subsequent journey, was the culture and values inherent in Mary’s upbringing and heritage. As one storyboard succinctly expressed, the way in which Mary lived out her values was reflected in Mary’s: • Deep spirituality and trust in God • Love of family and regard for friends • Sense of social justice and compassion • Belief in consensus and cooperation • Respect for the dignity of the individual • Spirit of Independence • Charity to all regardless of religion, race or culture. Throughout Mary McKillop’s extraordinary life, she consistently lived out her values and built a culture in her Josephite Order of being welcoming, inclusive and compassionate.

“Culture opens the sense of beauty". – Ralph Waldo Emerson

In this edition of Clippings, you will be able to read the varied and wonderful stories and journeys of a number of Cornerstone College graduates. Whilst I am confident that their time at Cornerstone has played an important part in what they are now doing in their lives, I am ever more hopeful that Cornerstones College has influenced how they live their lives, and that it expresses the values we share, express and practice as part of the culture of Cornerstone College. This will be my final reflection in Clippings as Principal of Cornerstone College before I undertake a new role as Executive Director of Lutheran Education of SA, NT and WA. It has been a privilege and honour to serve Cornerstone College over the last almost 11 years and I have many fond and enduring memories of my time as Principal. Cornerstone is a wonderful community and I leave in the knowledge that God’s story will continue to be told in and through the learning, support and care that is central to the College’s mission. My children (Hamish, Charlie and Lucy), Celia and I have been wonderfully blessed by our experiences at Cornerstone and I have deeply valued the support and trust the community has consistently shown in my leadership. Craig Fielke Principal