Mazenod College Prospectus

Leave Nothing Undared

For The Kingdom Of God

Mazenod College is a Catholic Boys’ College served by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate working in partnership with the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

It was established in 1967 temporarily at St Joseph’s Primary School, Springvale and in 1968 moved to its present site in Mulgrave.

The college was established in response to the need for a Catholic Boys’ Secondary College by the Parish Priests of Springvale, Springvale North, Clayton, Glen Waverley and later, Mulgrave. Through their vision, Oblate Service, commitment, and the support of local Parishioners, Mazenod College was born.

Since its beginning, Mazenod College has been under the care of a religious congregation of Priests and Brothers from the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Mazenod College has always been a partnership between the original five founding parishes, local

families, students and Old Boys, Catholic Education Office Melbourne and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

In 2019 the announcement was made of the appointment of a lay Principal to Mazenod College.

The Australian Province remains committed to our Education Ministry under the guidance of a Lay Principal and an Oblate Priest as Rector, ensuring the Oblates are able to maintain a meaningful and sustainable presence of service in the college.

The Oblates will continue to have an active presence in the Leadership and Pastoral aspects of the college into the future.

Mazenod operates with a College Board chaired by a lay Chairperson with both clerical and lay representatives from the five constituent Parishes.

The Board also comprises delegates from the College’s Parent Organisations, the College Business Manager, Staff Representatives, and Oblates.

The college is proud of its fine multicultural heritage, where members come from a wide variety of different cultural backgrounds. This heritage is valued and treasured at the college.

The central feature of Mazenod College is its commitment to the values and traditions of the Catholic Faith. Special focus is given to the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, so that an encounter with Jesus Christ is made possible.

The opportunity is available for students to be part of a worshipping community. The community atmosphere at Mazenod is nurtured and enhanced by a genuine attempt to build a faith-conscious environment. Students are encouraged to develop their faith and to seek a personal relationship with

God, not just in the Religious Education classes but also within all areas of the curriculum.

This personal relationship is strengthened within the context of a community. Each family is encouraged to be an active member of their Parish.

There are, happily, a number of students at the college who are not of the Catholic Faith and they are valued as a full member of our community.

Their religious beliefs and traditions are respected.

Charles Eugene de Mazenod was born into the tumultuous world of Revolutionary France, the son of an aristocrat. Forced to flee France at the tender age of 8, he grew to young adulthood amidst the dissipating pleasures of the aristocratic idleness of the various courts of Italy. However, his life was changed dramatically by a deep spiritual experience at a Good Friday ceremony in 1807. He would go on to become Priest, Missionary, Bishop, and founder of a world-wide religious community called the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).

One of his contemporary Bishops once said: “Go to Marseilles. There is a Bishop there whose Congregation is still small, but the man himself has a heart as big as St.Paul’s, as big as the world.” These are words that truly convey the enthusiasm felt by those who knew him in life and by those who have come to know him through the works he established and the writings he left behind.

A heart as big as the world! Even when he still had only ten companions in his society, the Rule Eugene wrote for the group in 1818 already stated emphatically, “Their ambition will be to encompass

in their holy desires the immense breadth of the entire world.”

That ambitious dream began to take form in 1841 when Bishop de Mazenod sent his first disciples to Canada. It was the beginning of a heroic epic that would see the Oblates of Mary Immaculate spread from the pole to the tropics: in Canada, Sri Lanka, South Africa and today in over sixty countries - wherever the apostolate demands a radical renouncing of self on the part of those whom Pius IX once called “specialists in the most difficult missions”.

Thousands of Oblates have lived in the radiance of the Founder’s “big heart”.

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate arrived in Fremantle in 1894, Victoria in 1926, and at Mazenod College in 1967. Inspired

by St Eugene de Mazenod OMI, the Oblates serve the Mazenod College Community in a variety of pastoral ways through service, leadership and pastoral ministry.

The Oblates work closely with the staff and families to help ensure that each student discovers their God-given dignity; sees the world through the eyes of Christ, and ultimately, “Leave(s) Nothing Undared for the Kingdom of God” (College Motto).

Pastoral Care is offered at Mazenod College in a wide and all-encompassing way. The welfare and care for those within our community and beyond is of primary importance. The Archdiocese of Melbourne calls us to the following: A fundamental belief for Catholic Schools is that in Jesus is seen God’s image and likeness in its human expression, and that Jesus’ values and teachings show all people ‘the way, the truth and the life’ (John 14:6).

In accordance with this belief, values to be promoted within a Catholic school’s understanding and practice of pastoral care include love, respect, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, repentance, reconciliation and justice.

This rationale is expressed through relationships and structures that promote the education of the whole person in mind, body and soul.

Through Counsellors, Nurses, Homeroom Teachers, Year Level Coordinators, Oblate Priest Chaplaincy, Deputy Principals and Principal, each layer of care is prepared to work collaboratively for the welfare of our students and their families. Archbishop Mark Coleridge DD from Brisbane expressed this beautifully when he said: “I used to think when I was young that the easiest thing in the world was to be a human being with a heart of flesh and not a heart of stone.

Now that I am old and wise, a product of Catholic Education myself, I can in fact see that the art of being a real human being is subtle, difficult and the most important art of all. By that I mean the art of being a real human being in the full sense of that term.

Now our schools exist to do many things; they impart vast amounts of knowledge, any number of skills and so on.

Yet at the heart of everything that we do in our schools, is teach the art of being human. Fully human and fully alive.”

The junior School comprises of Years 7 to 9 and is directed by the Dean of Junior School who is responsible for the day to day running of the Junior School and for maintaining academic standards and student discipline as well as overseeing the welfare and pastoral care of each student in the sub school.

Each year level is led by a Year Level Co-ordinator and an Assistant Year Level Co-ordinator who report to the Dean of Junior School, along with a dedicated team of homeroom teachers. The homeroom teacher is the primary person responsible for the pastoral care of the students in their class.

The Year 7 classrooms sit in an area of the school dedicated to the Year 7 students. This smaller area within the larger school enables the youngest members of the community to settle in and bond with the other students new to the college. The Years 8 and 9 classrooms are located in the Heritage Building along with the Year 10 classrooms. Year 8 classrooms are located in a dedicated area of the Heritage Building.

Regular Year-level and Junior School Assemblies are held where the faith component of the college is affirmed, student achievement is acknowledged and academic and behavioural expectations reinforced. In all, the Junior School provides a stable framework with graduated expectations to enable students to successfully journey through and become members of the Senior School.

The Senior School comprises of Yr. 10, 11 and 12, with Year level coordinators, assistants year level coordinators and homeroom teachers supervising the day to day running of the sub school. The Dean of Senior School oversees the welfare, academic standards and pastoral care of each student in conjunction with all members of staff.

Students of Year 11 and 12 reside in the newly refurbished O’Rourke building, which is equipped with state of the art classrooms and break out spaces for students to conduct private study and peer mentoring. Year 10 students are located on the third and second floor of the old building. All three year levels work in unison to create an environment of ensuring that every student is cared for in matters relating to his welfare, personal, spiritual and academic development.

Year 11 and 12 students are given the option of remaining at school after hours to complete homework and private study, in order to manage their academic workload, in the study hall.

This is located in the College Library and provides a contemporary environment that is conducive to the academic rigour that is expected of the senior students. Study Hall is supervised and the concept is modelled along the lines of university practices. It encourages students to develop independent learning habits in preparation for further study outside of secondary education.

Vision Mazenod College is a Catholic boys’ secondary school striving to live the charism of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Centred on the person of Jesus Christ, our community is built on faith, nourished by the Eucharist and seeks to live and share Gospel values in word and deed.

Mission Mazenod College is committed to the pursuit of excellence in the intellectual, social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of each student according to his unique capacity. Each person at Mazenod is encouraged to contribute to a welcoming and caring community in collaboration with our local Parishes.

Guiding Principles 1.

Let us be united in the love of Jesus Christ We seek to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Saviour, and to see people and the world through His eyes. By regularly turning our hearts and minds to Him, and by opening ourselves to the gift of the Holy Spirit, we seek, like Mary Immaculate, to receive God’s holiness and bring it to reality in our daily lives.

2.

Be a burning flame not a smouldering wick We serve to light the fire inside our students, fostering a burning desire to achieve academic excellence and to cultivate their abilities to the fullest. We see education as a lifelong process of formation in the truth, not just a moment in time, encouraging our students to be the flame, continuously burning brightly and sharing their talents.

3.

We have but one heart, one soul We strive to nurture a friendly and caring school, enabling students to develop a sense of loyalty, solidarity and service. We provide pastoral care and encourage participation in all aspects of College life. Nourished by the Eucharist, and led by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, we believe that once a student enters the College, he and his family become part of our community for life.

4.

Learn who you are in the eyes of God We aspire to instil in all people the knowledge that God’s unconditional love is real and everlasting. Through the creation of an inclusive community and an environment that is conducive to students discerning their unique worth in the eyes of God, all members of the Mazenod family are free to flourish and grow.

5.

Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve We endeavour to emulate St Eugene de Mazenod’s model of standing with the poor in our community and beyond. Acts of service are a key component of an education at Mazenod. On their journey, our students recognise their call to bring the transforming presence of Christ to the world.

Mazenod College endeavours to equip its students with the ability to cope with a rapidly changing environment both in regards to the world of work and in the area of social response and responsibility.

With this in mind, we are committed to encouraging the pursuit of excellence in the spiritual, intellectual, social, moral and cultural sphere for each of our students. While all are encouraged to seek excellence, such achievement is defined according to the individual capacity of each boy.

The college offers a well-rounded and balanced curriculum encompassing faculty areas of Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Languages, Commerce, Digital Technologies, Design and Technology, Visual Arts,

Performing Arts, Health and Physical Education and Vocational Education (VET). Commencing at Year 7, students are introduced to units of Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, History, Japanese, Mandarin or Italian, Art, Instrumental and Classroom Music, Physical Education, Sport and Gifted Programs. This is expanded with further electives as they progress through the Junior and Middle School years, before making specialist choices for possible further careers in their final two years where students can take either VCE or VCAL certificates. There is a wide range of offerings at the senior level, with over 40 VCE subjects together with VET and VCAL offerings. Vocational studies include Engineering, Furnishing, Hospitality Operations, Sport & Recreation and Creative Digital Media.

The Learning Centre is comprised of Special Education Teachers and Support Staff who work with mainstream teachers to provide assistance to students.

The Learning Centre also supports students through its Literacy and Numeracy Programs.

Students who are experiencing difficulty with their work requirements can seek assistance from the Learning Centre Staff.

Of particular focus is the funded integration students and those with learning difficulties.

Those who have had interrupted schooling are also catered for through the Learning Centre. These students receive support both in the classroom and through small group withdrawal.

The Learning Centre provides assessments to determine the specific learning needs of students, assisting with strategies to improve student outcomes and supporting staff in the modification of work.

The Enhancement Program at Mazenod College provides students with challenging coursework in order to support their development. Students who participate in this program are withdrawn from regular classes once a week and meet in small groups.

Students may also participate in competitions such as the da Vinci Decathlon and can attend Gifted Program Days. Debating, Public Speaking, Art and Chess competitions provide further avenues for students within the program to develop their various talents.

Mazenod offers a comprehensive and exciting Instrumental Music Program. All students participate in classroom music in the junior levels, and are given the opportunity to study instrumental music through to VCE. Offering expert tuition in brass, woodwind, percussion and string instruments, students also have the opportunity to study voice. All instruments in the Orchestral Program can be hired from the college, thus avoiding the need to purchase them in the initial stages.

A well-established Ensemble Program is offered, featuring three large concert bands, five stage bands, a symphony orchestra, several string ensembles, a percussion ensemble and a variety of smaller chamber groups featuring brass and woodwind.

The concert bands and string ensembles perform annually at the Victorian Schools Music Festival, the Generations in Jazz competition (held in Mt Gambier), regional eisteddfods and many other college and community events.

Mazenod also has a vibrant Choral program, consisting of junior and senior vocal ensembles.

These ensembles foster the talents of students, who annually perform a diverse range of liturgical and popular musical works, both on and off campus.

All students studying a musical instrument are encouraged to develop their performance skills, with several music recital evenings held regularly throughout the year. Students also have the opportunity to present a full scale musical production, where they are introduced to performance conventions specific to musical theatre.

Mazenod is a member of the Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC) in Victoria, Australia. The 12 member colleges share a common belief in sportsmanship, fair play and aspiration to excellence. The Sport Program offered at Mazenod College provides students of all abilities with rewarding and enjoyable experiences. Every student is involved in Sport each week either through Inter-School or Inter-House competitions.

The Inter-School (ACC) Sports are Athletics, Football, Basketball, Cricket, Hockey, Soccer, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Chess, Golf, Cross-Country and Swimming. Inter-House Sport changes each term. The main focus of the Sport Program is the development of sportsmanship, commitment and skills. A strong emphasis is placed on Inter-House Sports for those not involved in the college teams.

The sporting facilities available at the college are excellent. The gymnasium includes Basketball and Volleyball Courts, as well as a Fitness Centre, Boxing Area and Weights Room.

The Provence Centre provides state of the art Volleyball, Basketball and Table Tennis facilities.

The ‘Joe Moore Showcourt’ boasts Victoria’s only permanent ‘Gerfloor’ playing system, which is the official International surface used at the Olympic Games and World Championships. Sport, among other pursuits, provides an opportunity for physical activity, team work and representation.

The ACC provides representative sporting and cultural opportunities for our boys. The ACC Competition takes place during the weekly sport.

To represent the college in Sport brings about significant responsibility, because Sport does not just build character, it reveals it. Through dedicated coaching Staff and Old Boy Mentors, every Sport is given due respect. The college is acutely aware that Junior Sport is developmental and it is this development of character, skills and teamwork that is an essential aspect of the college. Every student is expected to make College Representative Sport a priority.

The Mazenod Chess Club meets every week where some 60 players receive lessons from experienced Mentors. Here, players develop strategies and tactics enabling them to compete with the finest school-aged Chess players in Australia.

consequence for actions, organisation, formal play and fun.

The years 7 and 8 interested students participate in chess during sport time with practice matches under timed conditions. The college competes very successfully each year with representative teams in the ACC, the Chesskids State and National Secondary Championships and also the Chess Victoria Open State Championships.

All students participate in a wide range of outdoor activities including overnight camping, snorkelling, horse riding, bush-walking, surf kayaking, mountain bike riding, rock climbing, surfing and a city experience. This well-established program enables students to build self-confidence and self-reliance, as well as a sense of community that fosters a supportive and positive attitude towards each other and the environment.

All students in Year 7 are introduced to chess during sport time. Those who wish to join the Chess Club, then receive weekly coaching. Chess enables the students to utilise and enhance their problem-solving skills. Through the sport of Chess, students will focus on problem solving, strategy,

Mazenod offers a first class Outdoor Education Program from Years 7 – 10.

Many students use these opportunities to launch themselves into future outdoor activities at a more specialist level.

The college maintains and develops its facilities: both academic and extra-curricular. It has modern, functional and well-maintained Computer Suites; Science Laboratories and Library, a Manual and Fine Arts Complex, a Multi-Sports Complex, a Music and Drama Centre and excellent Physical Education and recreational facilities.

The College’s Founders’ Complex houses state of the art music, drama and technology facilities.

These include technology laboratories as well as music practice rooms and performance space.

This complex honours the vision and commitment of the founding Parishioners, Parish Priests and Oblates. The college provides fully equipped Science Laboratories that promote excellence in Science.

The Gymnasium is a fine facility, incorporating

a well-furnished weights room featuring a wide variety of fitness equipment including weights that are age appropriate.

The Provence Centre is a multi-sports facility incorporating an indoor and outdoor Basketball Court as well as an International quality surface Volleyball Court and Table Tennis facilities.

Tempier House is a dedicated facility for counselling.

The college also provides full disability acces.

A state of the art Year 11 and 12 area, above a multifaceted library has recently been completed, encompassing a reading room, archive room, seminar room, lecture theatre and coordinators offices.

Mazenod College provides opportunities for boys to make a significant contribution to the worldwide Mission of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Through overseas Mission Immersion Experiences in China, the students and staff come to understand the gifts of culture and faith, and witness firsthand the community life of the Oblates. The students and staff fully participate in the life of the Mission, and overwhelmingly feel a closeness to the people that they serve. The aims of the Mission are to experience the love of God through service.

Acts of service are a key component of an education at Mazenod and every student is invited to experience a variety of opportunities both overseas and within our local community. The college’s fundraising activities support these missions and other Oblate Missions throughout Asia and the

world. This generosity further demonstrates the sharing of values between families, students and school.

Senior Students have the opportunity to participate in ROSIES Oblate Youth Mission, a not for profit organisation that provides friendship to society’s most vulnerable. Each Wednesday and Friday night, a team of up to a dozen eighteen to thirty year-old volunteers operate a coffee bus offering friendship and hospitality through the simple gesture of a free hot or cold drink.

Students participate in training, join the regular volunteer group and are encouraged to go out for two consecutive Fridays. Many Old Boys participate in Rosies by committing to the roster.

The college undertakes a number of initiatives to try and ensure that it is limiting its impact on the environment and endeavours to contribute positively to it. It does this for a number of key reasons. First and foremost, it aims to be an example within our community of sustainable living. Secondly, it aims to instil in our students an appreciation, respect and love of our environment.

Finally, it aims to make significant financial savings to the college. This commitment stems from our Catholic belief in stewardship for our environment.

The college continues to invest in solar energy which places us at the forefront of the school’s renewable energy commitment and for as long as the sun shines in Melbourne, we should be benefitting both environmentally and financially. Initiatives undertaken include recycling partnerships with

Melbourne Zoo and local communities.

The college has invested in water storage tanks harvested for our ovals and buildings. The conversion to LED lighting has significantly reduced our electricity bills, and cutting edge technology on our Provence Centre has allowed for wind and solar technology to ensure an appropriate temperature without the need for air conditioning. The college has also invested in an Outdoor Wetlands Learning Centre which provides numerous faculties with interactive experiences. Turtles, Lizards, Frogs and Insects call this area home and its presence at the front of the school demonstrates its profile and importance. Led by the Geography Department, this area allows the scientific study of natural environments.

From the moment a person joins the Mazenod Community a special relationship is formed which exists in whatever capacity is required for the rest of the boys’ lives.

The Mazenod Old Collegians’ Association was formed in 2010 and aims to support and connect the college’s 8,000 strong Old Boys’ Community.

Old Boys and their families have helped shape the culture of the college and this contribution is not forgotten. Through a variety of ways, Old Boys can remain involved in the community.

Old Boys have formed four Sporting Clubs (Cricket in 1974, Football in 1978, Soccer in 2010 and Volleyball in 2015). These Clubs provide pathways for involvement and community, and all four of them enjoy a special relationship with the college.

The Old Boys provide a mentoring service to current students through direct advice and rolemodelling. This mentoring assists both former and current students to remain in contact. Old Boys also contribute to the College’s Chess Program, as well as assisting Year 7s settle into their new college.

Each year sees gatherings of Old Boys for Reunions and these events once again reconnect Old Boys to the college and each other.

During the month of October, the College Community celebrates the Steven Tynan Memorial Assembly.

Steven Tynan, a former Mazenod College student who was slain whilst on duty and in the course of seeking to keep our community safe. This Memorial Assembly is our way of showing our appreciation to our former students who are actively working as Police Officers, Fire Brigade Officers, Paramedics, Ambulance Officers and members of the SES. On the 1st Friday of November each year, a Requiem Mass is offered for the Repose of the Souls of all our students who have died. Current and past Students, Staff and families are invited to be part of this prayerful occasion of inclusion.

The Oblate Community remains ready to support Old Boys in any number of ways including weddings, funerals, crisis and grief support, as well as any other personal support that they need. This relationship of Old Boys to the college is mutually beneficial to both current and former students and their families.

Leave Nothing Undared

For The Kingdom Of God

All enquiries to: The Registrar Mazenod College 5 Kernot Avenue, Mulgrave VIC 3170 registrar@mazenod.vic.edu.au