Principal's Reflection - 13 November

Remembrance Day

On Wednesday this week, our community stopped to reflect on and honour the Australian service personnel whose service and courage have helped provide the freedoms and safety that we enjoy today. Like many, I have never experienced war or armed conflict, and so I cannot truly comprehend the conditions our service personnel had to endure. For that, I am forever grateful, and I hope our children will never know the strife of war. 

Over the years, for our ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day worship services, we have tried to draw guest speakers from our own community. This year, it was a privilege to listen to Mr John Cathcart, a veteran of the Australian Army who served with the Royal Australian Artillery in the 105th Field Battery, one of the first Australian units to see active service in Vietnam. Mr John Cathcart is the father of two of our teachers: Mr Matthew Cathcart and Mrs Christa Stone. As a Forward Observer, Gunner John Cathcart was embedded with frontline infantry to direct artillery fire. Prior to Australia taking a more active role in Vietnam, Mr Cathcart’s unit was attached to an American unit, and so in addition to several Australian decorations, Mr Cathcart received a US Meritorious Unit Commendation. So much of our Australian history is not written down and lives in the minds of those who were present, so it was incredibly interesting to hear Mr Cathcart’s stories. We owe a debt of gratitude to Mr Cathcart and all service personnel for everything they endured.

Congratulations, Year 12!

Officially, the Queensland External Examinations continue into next week. However, the examinations scheduled on Monday and Tuesday are for subjects not undertaken by St Luke’s students. As such, today’s Mathematical Methods examination is the last examination our students are involved in, and so our Year 12s have concluded their academic programs. It has been a marvellous effort across 13 years of education. As a school, the only thing left for us to do is celebrate their journey. This commences next week on Wednesday with the Formal Worship followed by the Formal Dinner, and then the Graduation Service next Friday morning, which concludes with the student guard of honour. For the members of our community who wish to congratulate our Year 12s, I invite you to Buss Park on Wednesday 18 November between 4.00 pm and 5.00 pm where our Year 12s will gather for photos ahead of the Formal Worship. After worship, the traditional arrivals at Brothers Sports Club will commence at approximately 5.40 pm. 

The past 13 years have been filled with difficulties, challenges, and opportunities; moments of both sadness and great joy; friendships made and sometimes lost; and many, many experiences our Year 12 students will look back on as some of the most memorable of their lives. Congratulations to the Class of 2026.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our School.

Mr Matthew Hughes

Principal