From the Principal

I would like to warmly welcome you to Mazenod College. Since our beginning in 1967, the College has had a proud history of educating boys in the charism of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The greatest challenges to the world students at Mazenod will experience into the future are the result of technological advances and the extreme acceleration in the pace of change associated with communications. Mazenod will need to be agile to meet these challenges, positioning graduates at the greatest advantage while giving them a wellrounded experience in moral and spiritual sphere, and providing education about the changing modes of communication.

Graduates who have a social conscience and who are prepared to make a difference in the world is central for Mazenod College. Rituals, symbols and religious experience are significant experiential elements of school life where students may encounter God. Integrating social justice and spirituality into the formal curriculum is an important part of culture and an area that has potential for development. The search for meaning, affirming our identities as human beings, and liberating young people to build a better world, is fundamental to an education in the charism of St Eugene de Mazenod.

I do not want Mazenod to be a place where the teachers teach, and the pupils are taught. This may require a shift to move from traditional ‘power over’ responses to engaging with each other to a ‘power with’ position that flows from the principles of common ground. These principles of common ground are an acknowledgement of people’s differing perceptions and feelings in finding the space to work together to resolve differences. The consequences of operating on common ground with a set of principles are that adults and students are both accountable for their behaviour.

Teaching is complex and dynamic. At the heart of this are staff who recognise this complexity and work hard to accommodate the individual learning needs of students. Shifting information via multiple modes of delivery is the art of good pedagogy. This fluid movement of information enables students the opportunity to make connections and synthesise concepts for deeper learning. We value student voice where teachers empathise with the complex world in which young people live and know them as a person and a learner. Mazenod aims for the highest quality of teaching and a culture of excellence for existing and new staff.

We are committed to providing a holistic education and place a strong emphasis on Visible Wellbeing and Visible Learning. The structures and pastoral care programs that are in place at Mazenod highlight the importance of students being personally known, cared for and respected as individuals. The aim is to assist boys to function well so that they can be resilient, positive, balanced, self-regulated, able to constructively face challenges and mentor others. It is within this context that we aim to create nurturing and inclusive environments where students are respected, their voices are heard, and they are safe and feel safe.

At Mazenod College, we are always conscious of delivering a curriculum that explores gender inclusiveness and uniqueness. In responding to this reality, we are always considering how to provide opportunities for students to raise the discrepancy between the messages they receive from society and their own view on what it means to be manly. This could include providing safe spaces and situations to enable student voice and explore gender stereotypes, as well as the delivery of explicit teaching programs that promote inclusivity such as the Respectful Relationships Curriculum. We are constantly seeking ways for boys to be engaged with the school community in these critical conversations about manhood and the potential harms of adhering to rigid gender roles.

Over the years, we have increased in size, with over 200 staff currently employed to support, nurture, and educate approximately 1450 students from Year 7 to 12 with nine streams at each level. I am looking forward to working with you as we lead Mazenod through the next phase of its rich history. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Dr Paul Shannon Principal

From the Rector

Dear Staff,

It is that time of the year when I am afforded the opportunity to welcome you all, especially our new staff members, to Mazenod College for the academic Year of 2023.

It will be particularly exciting for our new Year 7 cohort who have joined us. These young men will create a new dimension to our community life and enhance it as they share their gifts and talents. As a Catholic College we recognize that the holistic development of the young men entrusted to our care is vitally important as we seek to help them grow spirituality, academically, physically, and emotionally allowing them to “Know who they are in the eyes of God”.

I am positive that this 2023 staff handbook will be a helpful guide with its overall insight into the College Mission, essential information, and structures of Mazenod Catholic College. I am looking forward to journeying with you all this year as we take the opportunities to meet, work, pray, support, and enjoy each other’s company.

Let us remember and live the words of St Eugene de Mazenod: “Kindness is a quality that is indispensable...”

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry Dyer OMI Rector

From the Dean of Staff

Dear Staff,

Welcome to our College and thank you for joining our wonderful team of staff. This handbook is designed to support your induction by aiming to provide you with helpful information. There are two versions of the handbook, both printed and digital. The digital version contains live hyperlinks to College policies.

The hardcopy is divided into three sections. The first contains essential information for all staff. Section 2 relates to teaching staff and Section 3 contains a list of College policies and an account of our College history.

If you have any further queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Mrs Joanne Noone Dean of Staff