From the Principal
On Thursday evening, I was privileged to be a part of the inaugural Rite Journey: Call and Departure ritual. A new program for the College, The Rite Journey is a customised series of lessons and activities that acknowledges and celebrates every student in Year 9’s shift into adulthood. It recognises the challenges that teens face during this time, while providing sign-posts and rituals for connection with both family and the school, to help each student on their journey. A key focus of the Rite Journey is helping each student understand a shift from a dependency mindset to an understanding of responsibility.
It was fantastic to see over 250 families present in ERPAC on Thursday to mark the start of this journey. I must thank Mr Lachlan Heshusius, Ms Susan Harris, all the Identity Team and the Rite Journey Mentors for their work in making this experience and program possible. I wish all Year 9 boys well on the start of their journey.
Harmony Week
This week at Laurie’s, we are celebrating Harmony Week. Harmony Week is an initiative that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. (Harmony Week - Everyone belongs). At St Laurence’s College, we acknowledge and celebrate that our community is made up of families from over 45 different nations.
On Wednesday during College Assembly, Murani shared the importance of Harmony Week at Laurie’s and publicised a student led initiative to acknowledge the diversity of our community. I would like to thank Murani for his work and offer this extract to the community as a reflection of Harmony Week, told through the lens of a student at St Laurence’s College:
"Good afternoon, gents, or as Kenyans and all Swahili speakers say, Masalkheri!
Take a moment. Look around you. Different faces. Different backgrounds. Different stories. Yet here we are—learning, growing and shaping the future together.
But here’s the thing: diversity isn’t just about differences. It’s about the richness those differences bring. It’s about the traditions, languages and histories that make our school more than just a place of learning—it makes it a community.
Think about it. Some of us speak multiple languages. Some of us have roots in countries far away. Some of us celebrate festivals that others have never even heard of. That’s not just interesting—that’s powerful. That’s Laurie's.
But diversity isn’t something we should just acknowledge—it’s something we need to celebrate. Because when we do, something incredible happens. We learn. We grow. We build connections that go beyond classrooms and the playing fields. We realise that the world isn’t just something out there—it’s right here, in the people sitting next to us. Now, imagine if we could see that—if we could truly map the incredible cultures that make up our school. Picture a giant world map, filled with pins representing each of us. One pin for the place you were born. One for where your family comes from. One for the traditions that define you.
This wouldn’t just be a map—it would be a tapestry of our school, woven from the cultures, histories and identities that make us who we are.
Every pin would be a thread, connecting us to each other in ways we might never have realized. Because the truth is, if we never talk about our cultures, if we never take the time to understand each other, we miss out on something bigger than all of us.
And when we truly embrace diversity—not just in words, but in action—we don’t just become a better school. We become better people.
Newsletter Announcement
After consultation with the Lauries Community Committee and School Advisory Council, a decision has been made to transition the weekly newsletter to a fortnightly release. This will commence in Term 2 with publications being distributed in Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9, in alignment with the Primary newsletter.
Similarly, the College will also be reviewing the way the Newsletter is delivered to families in its digital form, to ensure information can continue to be easily accessible for all families.
For the remainder of Term 1, the College Newsletter will continue weekly. I thank all for their ongoing contribution and their work in producing the College Newsletter.
Sunset Soiree
Following extensive consultation and review of the forecasted weather, the College has made the regrettable decision to cancel the Lauries Sunset Soiree this Saturday 29 March. This was to be a much anticipated event and one of a series of events in the calander to highlight the 110 Year Anniversary of the College.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Jo Cosgrove as President of the Lauries Community Committee, our entire organising committee and the College Events team for all their work in the preparation for this event. I am confident that this effort and resourcing will not be wasted and the Sunset Soiree can be revisited in future years.
I would also like to especially acknowledge our valued sponsors for their support of this event including:
Ascot Demolition |Bidfood| Cleanstate Commercial Cleaning |Computer Alliance| Double Dare |Leo Tsimpikas Real Estate | Dynasty Sport
My thoughts and best wishes remain with our Year 12s as they embark on their current assessment period, a very important time in the life of a Senior student. I also wish great luck and good sportsmanship to those participating in Term 2 sports trials against Villanova College this weekend.
MR BEN LOWRIE
College Principal