OMNIA
VOL 38 | TERM 3 | 2020
OMNIA
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Lockdown with the Lord
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From the Acting Principal
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New Principal Appointed for 2021
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From the College Captains
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Old Boy Profile
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Life Onsite
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Remote Learning Photos
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Wellbeing 12 Screen Time
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Old Collegians
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Sport 16
OMNIA MAGAZINE Volume 38 | Term 3 | 2020
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Lockdown with the Lord Every day during the lockdown, we have shared a special prayer. Here are a few of them to remind us that we turn to God in all the events of life and pray for those who need support.
MONDAY Let’s turn to the Lord at the start of every new week. The Lord will be there to welcome us into it and carry us through it. This picture was taken on Saturday morning, the day after we discovered that the rate of coronavirus infection was increasing among us at an alarming rate. Let us pray today for our city, Melbourne. Our community, Melbourne. Let us remember all the people who make up this colourful slice of humanity, especially those who are struggling and those who are helping people in any kind of need. May we all find peace and sacred purpose on challenging days. May we all this day find something to make us smile, something to warm our hearts. May we all this day be the answer to someone else’s prayer. Amen.
TUESDAY We are spending more time indoors than usual. Let’s make sure we get out for some exercise. It is really important. When we do, let’s keep our eyes open to the beauty of the world! God of beauty, We thank you for our world, especially for birds. They go about their business and don’t seem to realise How beautiful they are. Jesus asked us to consider the birds of the air. He said that they don’t sow or reap. But that not even OMNIA
a king looked as majestic. Jesus’ message was not to worry too much. To accept each day. To deal with its challenges honestly. To give thanks for the gift of life in all its forms. To get on with life whatever this day presents. May we all take his advice! Amen.
WEDNESDAY Wherever we may be, let’s thank God for the gift of a new day. Here is a picture of a sapling growing from an old stump on the river bank below the Cummings Building at Heyington. It was taken yesterday as the old river keeps its steady pace. Loving God, we thank you for the gift of new growth. For the people who never give up. For the ones who look after the sick. For those who insist that black lives matter. For those who bring food to those who can’t leave home. They are all like saplings, small plants that point to a bigger future. We thank you for the call to new growth in our own lives, To new commitment, to fresh honesty, to deeper love. Be with us as we begin to branch out. Make us stronger. Amen.
THURSDAY Let us all try to make the best of whatever situation we are in. Today’s prayer asks us to pause for a moment to think about the spider’s web. The picture below was taken on an icy morning near Canberra during the holidays. A spider’s web is a thing of great beauty but also fragile. Just like our lives. A spider’s web is the result of a lot of hard work. Just like our lives. A spider’s web can get damaged. But the spider is never discouraged. The spider
just gets back to work and tries again. Just like us. A spider’s web is easy to overlook. Sometimes that is just like us. Let us pray that we can appreciate the beauty of the world around us. Let us pray that this term we can appreciate the beauty and wonder of our own lives and the lives of those around us. Let us give thanks for small moments of grace. Amen.
FRIDAY This picture was taken this week outside the chapel. The trees are already budding. Sometimes these trees seem rather optimistic. They are ready for Spring although we are only halfway through Winter! Today let us all pray that we can be people of such hope. Loving God, we thank you for the promise of Spring And of new life. We ask you to be close to everyone struggling with the lockdown, especially the old and young children. We pray especially for those who would love to be close to someone But who can’t be by their side right now. Today’s psalm says I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console them, give them gladness for grief. May we this day bring gladness to another person. Amen.
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From the Acting Principal
Recently, I was thrilled to hear the announcement that schools across Metropolitan Melbourne will shortly see Years P-2, and Years 11-12, return to onsite learning in week two of Term 4. It is my strong hope that Years 3-10 will return shortly after this date, given these students have been away from school for an extended period of time now. While I have said many times that our community has adapted so well to the changing landscape associated with remote learning, and continue to engage comprehensively in their learning, there is no question that we are all ready for school to return onsite as soon as possible.
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Over the past term of remote learning, we have all been reminded of just how important a consistent daily routine is to a student’s positive experience of school; walking through the front gates each day, greeting friends and
With all of this firmly in our minds, and as soon as we are permitted, the College will quickly seek to re-establish stable and normal routines for all students to see them settle back into school life. We recognise that there will be much work
teachers and beginning a day of learning as a community and not as separate individuals. I am certain we will never take this for granted again.Similarly, we have been reminded of how positive and necessary it is for students to participate in a range of co-curricular opportunities including sport, drama, music, debating, chess and more, and the importance of participation for our general wellbeing.
needed on our part to support all students in returning to this routine. I want to reassure all parents and carers that we will continue to work tirelessly to support each student in this endeavour when they return in Term 4. I ask all parents and carers to keep us informed if you have any concerns here.
In any school setting, we live, learn and work in partnership with each other. Nothing in our school environment occurs in isolation and, as such, we are constantly nourished by the spirit of support, challenge, encouragement, collegiality and collaboration. It is a vibrant life-giving community.
A few weeks ago, our community learnt that Deborah Barker has been appointed as the new Principal of St Kevin’s College. As a community, we congratulate Deborah on her appointment and look forward to the opportunity of warmly welcoming her to our students, parents, carers and staff as the year progresses. John Crowley Acting Principal
ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE
New Principal Appointed for 2021 Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools) and a member of the International Baccalaureate: Australasian Heads of School. Deborah’s academic qualifications include a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Theology and more recently she has pursued studies in Educational Leadership at Harvard University, Boston. Dear Friends and Colleagues, Following an extensive recruitment search, I am delighted to announce that Mrs Deborah Barker has been appointed to the position of Principal of St Kevin’s College Toorak effective from January 1, 2021. In doing so, I acknowledge the dedicated and thorough discernment of our interview panel comprising educational leaders representing Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA), Catholic Education Melbourne and the Chair of the SKC Advisory Council. Deborah is well known to many in Catholic education in Victoria and comes to us with the highest recommendation of her colleagues. She is currently the Principal of Santa Maria College, Northcote where she has demonstrated exemplary leadership since 2011. Prior to this she held the positions of Deputy Principal - Faith and Mission at Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill and Director of Religious Education at Mount Lilydale Mercy College. Deborah is Vice President of PAVCSS (Principals’ Association of OMNIA
She is well known as an accomplished lead educator dedicated to the highest standards of learning outcomes and the unconditional support of a safe and inclusive community for each student in her care. Deborah is a deeply committed member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Parish, North Ringwood and will bring her authentic faith witness to the role of spiritual leader and community builder at St Kevin’s. Mr Paul O’Malley, Chair of St Kevin’s College Advisory Council writes
“I would like to welcome Deborah as our new Principal
Deborah is looking forward to the challenge of leading the St Kevin’s College community into the future. In her own words: “I feel privileged to be invited to take up this significant role. St Kevin’s has a proud history of excellence across a range of academic, cultural and sporting pursuits and I am really looking forward to engaging with the staff, the College Advisory Council, the students and their families to provide our young people with every opportunity to experience success in their lives in the very best tradition of Edmund Rice, a tradition based on faith, inclusion, service and respect.” On behalf of all members of the EREA community, I celebrate yet another significant milestone in our story and warmly congratulate Deborah on this exciting appointment wishing her, her husband Greg and their two sons all the very best as they commence their journey as part of EREA and the St Kevin’s College community. Bobby Court Chair of EREA
from 2021. Deborah is a very experienced and capable leader and we will all benefit from her great commitment and enthusiasm.”
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From the College Captains SCOTT MEAGHER COLLEGE CAPTAIN Although this term has not been what anybody had planned or hoped for, I would like to congratulate all boys on the way they have conducted themselves this term. The ability for boys to adapt to the trying circumstances has been outstanding, continuing to put their best foot forward and do the best work they can over Google Meet. Thank you also to the staff, who have provided boys with all the help and support they need during this difficult time, providing lessons with effort and enthusiasm, despite the lack of face-to-face interactions. And finally, to the families, thank you for your continued support of your sons during this time. I think I speak for many when I say that we have enjoyed the extra time we have been able to spend with our family while at home, and the care and assistance that our families provide is essential in
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ensuring that boys are able to manage all the challenges that 2020 has provided. I can say that, although we are apart, the strength of the St Kevin’s community may not have been greater. I don’t think this is highlighted better than our performance in the APS Move for Mental Health Challenge, where, at the time of writing, we have had over 300 boys and staff from Year 7–12 chipping in and getting involved, running over 2,000km for mental health awareness. Thank you all for your support during this time, and we hope to see you back at school very soon.
when we are separated from the group? When tectonic shifts force us apart, tearing fault lines through our land, when the earth quakes, and volcanoes erupt, changing our world forever.
JUSTIN MITCHELL
We turn inward. We fight to survive the winter. We wait until the world shifts back, no matter how many millions of years it may feel have passed. Even when there is no sight of the end, we just keep flapping our wings, keep zooming along. Until finally, we can come together once again.
We live as a collective. It’s in our nature, each individual a wolf in the pack, a plot of land on a great continent, a bird of a feather. There is safety in numbers. Comfort in numbers. Support in numbers. Even worry, when the numbers are in the hundreds in Melbourne. Yet what happens
What happens when the pack must split up, and go its separate ways to find food, to survive through the long cold winter? What happens when we are swept away from our flock. When winds howl, and thunderclouds block sight of our ever chirpy feathery friends. When we must fly on our own, still tweeting our hearts out?
ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE
SAM KERR
SAM ROACH
2020 will certainly be a year to remember. After all, a global pandemic is no common occurrence. In late March of this year, all boys at St Kevin’s had to adapt to a “new normal”, a life oriented around a screen rather than the familiar sounds and sights of the school campus. I believe that this year will be the only time a student can say they spent more time at home than at school. The last time St Kevin’s students went through anything like this was 100 years ago in the School’s foundation year during the Spanish Flu outbreak.
The Longest Mile
Spending more time at home has certainly been challenging, with conflicting opinions and personalities getting in the way of each other within the family environment. However, although these past few months have been undeniably isolating, they have perhaps been the most digitally connected. Never will life be the same again, even after the virus, changing the way we interact, attend school and conduct business. From a student perspective, the ability for all boys, Prep to Year 12, to face these distractions has been impressive. Showing true resilience, students have continued to study hard and hand in work. While our student body has been disjointed, having not been on campus together since April, we are actively finding ways to promote a connection with each other and the “outside world”. From letters to Aged Care Facilities, fitness challenges and trick shot competitions, creative measures have been taken this year to keep us all internally connected as a school community and in reaching out to others in need. OMNIA
Last week, my Nana sent me a poem by Robert Browning entitled, I walked a mile. I found some solace in it, and thought you may enjoy it too. “I walked a mile with Pleasure; She chatted all the way; But left me none the wiser For all she had to say. I walked a mile with Sorrow; And ne’er a word said she;
To that end, I would also like to recommend the 2019 remix of the classic Beatles album, Abbey Road, and a recipe for banana muffins found at this very address: https://sallysbakingaddiction. com/banana-muffins/ While the recipe does claim that the cup of chocolate chips is "optional", I have found that the result is much more pleasing when one allows all of the ingredients to "Come Together". (Apologies.) For further information regarding albums, muffins and my Nana please feel free to contact me at 32768@student.stkevins.vic. edu.au.
But, oh! The things I learned from her, When Sorrow walked with me.” - Robert Browning 2020 is the longest mile I, like many, have ever walked. The Loneliness offered by this undiscovered country makes me miss the days where Pleasure and Sorrow were my only two choices of companion. Thankfully, however, I have an army of family, friends and teachers to remind me that I do not walk alone. And while it is a challenge balancing this existential education with the one offered by the VCAA, I’ve found that an unrelenting commitment to self compassion makes quarantine life just a little bit more graceful.
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David Knoff (SKC '02) Growing up the second of three children in the suburb of Glen Waverley, David and his older brother, Michael Knoff (SKC '99), attended St Kevin’s from Glendalough through to VCE. David’s academic pursuits were varied and, as only one of two students in his year to study the combination of Physics, Maths and Materials & Design (woodwork), David kept his options open for life after school. After VCE, David studied a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) at Monash University, it was during this time he joined the Australian Army Reserve. After graduating from Royal Military College in 2005, David served within the 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment before commencing full-time service, leading a platoon of soldiers to the Solomon Islands in 2007. This was part of the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to restore law and order to the pacific nation. Returning from overseas service, David returned to Monash to complete his degree and commence work with the DFAT in Canberra. David spent two years in Canberra learning the ropes of Australian diplomacy before he was posted to the Australian High Commission in Islamabad from 2011-2016. Here he worked as part of the Australian government’s effort to counter violent extremism and terrorism within Pakistan and support the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. For his final year in Pakistan, David shared an office with his old classmate from Kenny 1, Lachlan McLeod (SKC '02). Proof again that you never know how close you are to a fellow Kevinian.
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At the conclusion of his posting to Pakistan, David and eight other brave adventurous souls undertook an expedition to the Antarctic Peninsular to live the dream of visiting the most remote place on earth and complete a number of ski/ mountaineering trips on the icy continent. At the time, David was one of the first people to snowboard down a range of peaks on the Antarctic Peninsular using split-boards (a hybrid snowboard that can be separated into cross country skis for ascent). After experiencing the Antarctic Peninsula, David moved to Istanbul for 12 months, where he worked as a freelance photographer. During this time, David focussed on his skydiving skills at various locations from Serbia to Spain and began embracing an ethos that “the best way to see the world is from the air”. David has completed over 500 skydives across the globe and won a silver medal for formation skydiving in Dubai in 2015. Returning to Diplomatic work in 2017, David joined a combined team of Australian Defence Force and government officials as part of Operation Inherent Resolve in northern Iraq to counter the growing spread of ISIS. During this time, David and his team helped coordinate and advise Iraqi military and civilian agencies while managing the Australian government’s strategic interests in the region. Following his time in Iraq, David aimed at returning to Antarctica. Through a long recruitment process that included a flight on a RAAF C-17 to the Wilkin’s Aerodrome near Casey Station in Antarctica, David was selected in 2019
to become the Station Leader at Davis Station Antarctica for the 2019-20 season. The expedition left Australia on 25 October 2019 for Antarctica where David and his team are enjoying a COVID-free lifestyle with an anticipated return in early 2021, after which they will have completed over 500 days away from Australia. David and his team participate in ongoing climate research and wildlife monitoring and, with the rest of the world forced into isolation, they have been lending a hand through a range of video clips, articles and online presentations, offering their expert advice on living in isolation. David was awarded the Australian Service Medal (Solomon Islands II), Australian Operational Service Medal (Greater Middle Eastern Operations) and the Australian Defence Medal. David has always taken time to travel in between work assignments and says that although time spent away from family and friends is seldom easy, the perspective and rewards of a lifetime spent experiencing the best and worst the world offers helps you appreciate the relationships you have and ensure you never lose sight of where you came from. He uses the skills he learned at St Kevin's: service, care, understanding, leadership and reliability in all the challenging roles he has embarked on. He has been to the hottest conflict zones and the quietest, most serene and many between. David hopes to return to Melbourne in 2021 to finish renovating his house and plan for his next adventure... whatever that may be.
ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE
Life Onsite Attempting to highlight "life onsite" as part of the usual rich curricular and cocurricular activities that are part of the St Kevin’s College community seems a contradiction, given that 70% of the year-to-date has been spent learning and connecting remotely. The images below of the Heyington Campus depict a desolate and lifeless campus, void of activities and social interaction. We seemed to have lost so much this year: the contact with each other, the face-to-face relationships between staff and students, the cocurricular activities and the calendar of events that celebrate the rich life of the College. However, our school community has been agile, resolute and resilient. We have been innovative, creative and inventive. We have experienced the great benefit of digital technologies both as a learning tool and a social tool. These are the skills required in the 21st century. Skills that will be required for a Kevinian to transfer across multiple disciplines and pathways into the future. I had the privilege of facilitating a discussion recently with a number of our senior student leaders. I asked them how the social component and learning component of digital technologies interact? The students interviewed communicate and are capable of producing networks of learning online. Thus, a challenge for teachers and students is to make full use of digital technologies. The boys explained that combining group work with digital technologies can contribute to the development of interpersonal skills and learning content. One student highlighted:
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Being able to blend the two components of technology, especially this year, has been very helpful in staying motivated, productive and maintaining friendships. The experience this year and the feedback from senior students is an opportunity to create whole school digital technology strategies, which will support all members of our community to transition to a richer teaching and learning environment enhanced by new and innovative technologies. The image below of our students engaging with their teachers online is typical of the way we have been agile and innovative to continue to learn with each other. As the impact of COVID-19 were evaluated throughout the year, the College’s focus on staff and student wellbeing has been sharpened to support all as it continues to negotiate the effects of the continuing pandemic. The aim is
to assist members of our community to function well so that they can be resilient, positive, balanced, self-regulated, able to constructively face challenges and mentor others. To achieve this emphasis on student wellbeing and the education of the whole person, we will audit current practices, policies, procedures and structures and allocate resources to achieve these goals. In conclusion, COVID-19 has dramatically altered the need for the College to be prepared for disruptive futures. We have a responsibility as a College community is to be agile enough to provide an innovative, collaborative and collegial environment. This includes a mutually relational model of teacher– student engagement that enhances student voice and positive engagement for all. This type of teacher support refers to the way teachers and students interact with each other in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Indeed, the priorities that were desired months ago have transformed from visions to possible futures in 2021.
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Wellbeing The Challenges of remote learning, physical distancing, isolation and constant news on COVID cases has impacted all of us within the school community and our society. Much of what has happened throughout 2020 is outside of our control. Not just the virus itself, but all the other aspects of life that might be impacted, from school, sport, work, socialising and travel. We have all coped differently. For many, the isolation, missed opportunities and adventures that take place during a normal school year have been hard to accept, while for others the home learning environment has provided an opportunity to be creative and thrive. During this time, supporting mental health and wellbeing continues to be a recognised priority at St Kevin’s and across the community. Good mental health and wellbeing allows us to live our life in a positive and meaningful way and cope with life’s changes and challenges. Throughout the remote learning period, SKC staff across all three campuses have been doing an amazing job reaching out to students to ensure that they are coping during this difficult time. Staff have also been checking in with short surveys, discussions or creating opportunities that help students stay motivated and engaged. This has included lessons based on themes such mindfulness, gratitude, positive coping skills, social connections during remote learning as well as a range of activities to develop relationships.
Materials and resources of the Hub include: • SEL Glendalough page has links to current SEL lessons that take place on a weekly basis across all Glendalough year levels. SEL lessons and resources are tailored to meet the needs of junior students and incorporate themes such as respectful relationships, getting along with others, cyber safety, mindfulness, selfcontrol, and more. • Heyington and Waterford page resources include evidence-based mental health and wellbeing resources for teenagers. Also included in this page are links to the three programs delivered across St Kevin’s Senior School: Seed, Formation and Momentum. These programs focus on the development of young people’s personal and social capabilities, including recognition and expression of emotions, developing resilience, respectful relationships, diversity and collaboration.
• Student Self-Care Plan The selfcare plan includes a collection of easy, everyday mental wellbeing activities students can try. The activities have been provided by staff at St Kevin’s or external providers such as Smiling Mind, Reach Out and the Black Dog Institute. Students select their favourite activities to create a personalised plan for improving their mental wellbeing. • The Counselling page provides current advice and support networks from the counselling team and external providers. • The Parent’s page is a support tool for parents and has links to current resources and evidence-based materials around mental health and wellbeing.
The St Kevin's Student Wellbeing Hub has also continued to be updated and developed. The purpose of the Hub is to provide additional resources and support for students, parents and teachers in relation to mental health and wellbeing.
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ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE
Screen Time In partnership with the University of New England, a research study commenced at St Kevin's and Sacré Cœur in 2016 to assess the impact of technology distraction on adolescent learning. The research sought to identify the tipping point where technology in the classroom or home became more of a hindrance than a help to the learning process. With the invaluable assistance of Mr Adam Bylsma, Ms Kate Burrows, and Mr Guy Evans at Sacré Cœur, Dr Karl Sebire implemented a quantitative experiment design across a range of Year 10 science classes which looked specifically at distraction and comprehension. Students were presented with a range of videos and then, with varying conditions (from handwriting notes through to using their device), completed comprehension tests to see under which procedure they best retained information. Preliminary findings were presented at the EdMedia Conference in Amsterdam and then the gathered data was combined from both schools for further statistical analysis. With significant debate surrounding the role that technology plays in the classroom, there often can be resistance to the reliance children and adults alike now have on the screen. Interestingly, the analysis found that students were not significantly impeded by using their technology to take notes when viewing the videos, which was contrary to the predicted outcome. Broader educational research indicates that when a student is motivated and engaged, they are more inclined to eliminate distraction. However, just as with any individual who becomes bored with a task, the mind begins to seek out distraction to fill the cognitive gap when they become disengaged. OMNIA
Often tension can lie where there are widely differing views on how ICTs should be integrated into schools and the overarching theme from the data was concern over the perils of distraction. While technology proved invaluable to all participants, the consensus from subsequent qualitative interviews was that it often presented the biggest threat to an individual's ability to focus. However, agreement among participants considered the solution was not to eradicate technology, but rather to develop strategies to reduce the challenges it presents. With schools swiftly moving online, students, parents, and teachers alike have become more reliant on technology than ever before. With this dramatic shift has come increased anxiety over screen time and what constitutes a healthy amount of hours spent online. In an article in The Conversation, Dr Sebire suggested the following analogy be considered: We must acknowledge the umbrella term screen time can denote both positive and negative interactions with technology. Think of screen time as consuming calories. All humans require calories to function. This unit of energy provides nutritional information relating to the contents of a food item, such as a chocolate bar, or a carrot. Whereas both foods contain calories, we know the carrot is a healthier source. While professionals might offer advice about which provides the most beneficial nutrition, the individual should still have agency over what they consume. Like calories, screen time is about moderation, making responsible choices and exercising self-control.
Dr Sebire recommended a need to acknowledge the habits of a generation who interact, learn and engage in a completely new way with technology. While teachers and parents might not share the same digital diet as the children in their care, it's important to consider where we'd be without this level of connectivity: "Just as there are good and bad calories, so too exist good and bad examples of screen time. It is therefore not helpful to use the overarching term screen time when discussing how technology use should be moderated. An hour spent researching for an assignment is not tantamount to an hour spent watching cat videos, as the former is contributing to learning. However, an hour on social media chatting with friends is productive if it allows you to socialise at a time when important social interactions can't otherwise take place (such as during lockdown). In this way, the current pandemic is not only helping shift our views on screen time – but has subtly rewritten them, too."
As part of the SKCOCA Fellowship program, which provides an Old Collegian with support to pursue a project which can benefit the wider College community, Dr Sebire was due to present his findings at the SKOCA Annual Dinner, the Learning and the Brain Conference (NYC), and the Festival of Education (UK). Unfortunately due to current circumstances, all events have been postponed. For more information about the SKCOCA Fellowship, visit www.stkevins.vic.edu.au/community/ old-collegians.
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Old Collegians COLLEGE CREST The sad passing of George Dore (SKC '47) brings to mind an entertaining story from the archives that George often told. George was a devoted Kevinian who did anything he could for the school. He missed a handful of Old Collegian Annual Dinners but basically attended more than anyone in their 74 year history. Let us say nearly 60 dinners and the no arguments record holder. He was a brilliant dinner companion, a wonderful raconteur and enthralled all with stories. Not all seemed to be told the same way each year but nobody minded as they invariably had people in fits of laughter.
thought the school should have it rather than reside with CBC Victoria Parade. The way George told it, it was that late one night in a scene more suited to a Marx Brothers slapstick movie – including the ladder carried by two where they went either side of a tree. They liberated the crest. George cleverly patched the hole, then and there, to obliterate any sign it ever existed. He was a devout and saintly man and always maintained that he had permission, as a man he took to be a Christian Brother approached the troop, condoned the activity and wished them God’s Blessing.
the 13th century "Heater" or "Couche" shape was in 1959 as we entered the APS. The inclusion of the Celtic Cross atop the shield was used at various times to depict our Christian Brothers and Irish heritage.
The crest has little resemblance to the crest we have today but was a common design and motto for Christian Brother’s schools where one just changed the name for each school.
Bill O’Reilly (SKC '57) lives in Hastings on Hudson in New York State, USA. A short-term move in 1969 for he and his wife (also from Melbourne) turned into a lifelong stay. His children are grown up and giving them lovely grandchildren. Bill’s career has been in management of national charities and foundations and of course more recently they have been caught up in avoiding COVID-19, with great success so far. Bill last visited the school in 2013 and sends his usual best wishes to all Kevinians. His lovely letter is on our Facebook page.
The crest, once liberated, stayed with George, then was forwarded to the school (questions of its origins were not asked) in 1971 where successive nervous Headmasters kept it stored away. In the late 1977 it was installed in the foyer of the Heyington Campus for all to see. Our cultural icon was saved. The school crest had several design reincarnations mostly due to the individual way Brothers drew it for uniform manufacturers, cap badge producers and printers.
One such was the liberation of the original school crest (1918), stone carved and affixed high on the wall in Albert Street, East Melbourne. George and some fellows 14
By 1920 the Christian Brothers motto changed to Facere et Docere (To Learn and to Teach) so our sandstone crest dates the badge to being between 1918 and 1920. The earliest versions of our current crest start during Br Kearney’s time as Headmaster (1931–1934) and it appears on the first Annual in 1935. The first time our current shield shape appeared using
POSTCARDS FROM ABROAD It has been wonderful receiving notes for Kevinians living overseas and hearing the rich tapestry of life that has taken them there. We have heard from Europe, Asia, Antarctica and North America – perhaps the continents of South America and Africa could be next.
Justin Quirk (SKC '90) sends his best wishes from Northern Ireland where he and his wife Shauna live in County Derry with their four children. Over the years Justin has expanded his Dominos Pizza Stores ownership and has been most successful in business. Justin is well known for his welcoming of Kevinians who journey to the North and keeps in touch with several school mates regularly. Paul Lai (SKC '92) lives in Hong Kong where he works in the telecommunications ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE
industry. He is in charge of a unit relating to infrastructure project investments. Always keen to have contact with Kevinians to chat travel, Hong Kong and a career so look him up on LinkedIn. Thomas Horvath (SKC '59) is in retirement now in Mobile Bay, Alabama, having spent a lifetime in the US navy where, as a doctor, he rose to being their senior psychiatrist and running hospitals. At one stage he was on a Presidential Committee pioneering the care for military with PTSD. Thomas ended up there after being a refugee from wartorn Hungary, coming to Melbourne and went from no English at St Kevins to winning the English prize and also went from no concept of the cricket and football he saw to being Captain of Boats. Scholarships at Melbourne University Medicine and training at St Vincents and a marriage to Csilla Oster led to a visit to the US. His successful children fill he and Csilla’s life and with grandchildren a plenty too. The COVID crisis in America concerns Thomas greatly and just one quote from him on the matter is “I admire the selflessness and common sense of Australians that contrasts with the anything goes attitudes here” The WA sub-chapter in Bunbury send their best wishes to all. Deric Davidson (SKC '54) is a retired geologist who settled west and as you can imagine the west has been a good place for a geologist. Peter Finlayson (SKC '51) lived in Victoria until recently but that was after decades working as an agricultural scientist working in developing countries. Finally, in the trio is John Finlayson (SKC '53) retired from South Africa where his priestly duties saw him ending up the OMNIA
Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Johannesburg and was appointed Prelate of Honour by the Pope.
YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND EMPLOYMENT We are not able to post items from Kevinians in need of employment but will place items regarding people that can assist. We suggest Kevinians open
without a Denis Farrington band and most events were black tie and full of refinery. Look at the grand venues including the glorious Palais de Danse with its exquisite dance floor. Tragedy when Melbourne lost it to fire in 1969. St Kevin’s and the Old Collegians will return to wonderful community events after COVID so when we do, join in the fun.
Facebook and LinkedIn pages regularly and perhaps also place alerts to send items to your phone Also, it helps us if, in the education part of your own profile on LinkedIn, you enter St Kevin’s College. ALL CONTACT WITH SKOCA: Please send emails to old-collegians@stkevins. vic.edu.au. As we move toward not sending items by mail we have to ensure we have your email address. Please send an email with your details. Best to avoid using work emails as they change so often. Add your mobile number as well.
ARCHIVES Have you unearthed any items St Kevin's archives may like to see or have? Let us know!
GRAND EVENTS In a year when there are none of the usual grand dinners and events here are some memories of days long gone. The parents may have had theirs but the Old Collegians and the senior boys (run by the Prefects) had some stylish dinners, dinner dances and balls and Note on the tickets the format of the telephone numbers, the price before decimal currency. No selfrespecting organisation ran a dinner dance
valete ARTER, Laurence George (SKC '54) RIP 9/08/2020 COLLOPY, John Anselm (SKC '46) RIP 18/08/2019 DAVIES, Dominic (SKC '78) RIP 12/08/2020 DORE, George William OAM (SKC '47) RIP 15/08/2020 SHEEHAN, Maurice J (SKC '66) RIP 26/08/2020
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Sport TOKYO 2020 + 1 2020 has meant change for all of us. For some Old Boys, 2020 saw the biggest hurdle placed in front of them: the delay of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. While we regularly see our Old Boy AFL, Rugby or Soccer stars each week on television we rarely get to see our Olympians. Old Boys working hard to achieve their aim of representing their country in Tokyo had these perspectives:
LIAM DONALD (SKC '12)
and routine training. Lockdown allowed for time at home with friends and family that I had not seen aside from holidays for the best part of four years. I truly cherished that time and it granted myself a mental refresh. It was important to embrace a positive experience out of what could be viewed as quite a negative time. As for now, I have relocated back to Canberra to recommence training for next year’s Olympics. A resemblance of normality has returned to my life which is comforting, but still a level of uncertainty remains. Quickly I realised my focus has to be on the short term and what I can control to resist temptation to dwell on "what ifs". For us, the end goal remains the same but the path has drastically changed. (Liam currently trains at the National Training Centre in Canberra and has won numerous World Championships medals for Australia at Senior and U23 Level).
LUKE MATHEWS
In March, I was named in the preliminary Olympic Men’s Eight pending further selection confirmation. However, three weeks later we were informed of Olympic postponement and the end of our 2020 aspirations. Initially, it was heartbreak. To work towards a goal, a dream, and in a quick turn of events have it taken away was devastating. However, I understood and support the decision made - bigger issues are present in the current global climate. What followed was a chance to focus on myself with some time away from intense
For an elite athlete training full time in pursuit of Olympic success, injuries are the enemy. Luke Mathews was "pretty banged up", in his words, when he was informed that Tokyo 2020 was postponed. Living with his coach (his mother), "we took a deep breath and tried to find the best way to deal with this situation and my
injury...I responded in the most proactive way possible, get as healthy as possible! So we spoke to physio’s, doctors, therapists etc and worked out the best way to get back to 100% health and strength. So that was get in a moon boot, get off my feet and relax! As well as cross training." With lockdown and restrictions having extended several months now, Luke is coping with the situation quite well. "I was pretty cooked mentally with my injury. So I took some time to focus on myself as a person, instead of an athlete. I got to spend an heap of time with my girlfriend, focus on uni and, for once, just relax." Luke’s words of advice: "Athletics is a tough sport, you need to enjoy it. Professional sport is a weird one. If you persist, you never know what’s around the corner." Other notable St Kevin’s Old Boys who are training hard for the 2020+1 Olympics: •
Henry Hutchinson – Rugby Sevens
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Alex Graham – Australian Swimming Team – Leadership team member
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Redmond Matthews – Australian Rowing Team