Dear members of the Whitefriars College Family,

Recently, we recognised the wonderful gifts talents and hard work of our students at our Annual Celebration evening held at Monash Universities Robert Blackwood Hall. I must say this was one of the most uplifting and inspiring evenings of its type that I have ever attended. The mix of speeches, presentation of awards and performance was perfect. The students who led us through the evening were wonderful examples of the fine young men of our school and the performances of our students demonstrated the depth of talent and breadth of opportunities that exist in our school.

As I left the celebration at the end of the evening, I encountered many parents who were beaming with pride in their sons and in our College.

I wish to thank all who supported this wonderfully inspirational event. I would particularly like to thank Kelli Joiner and Jess Van de Garde for their attention to detail and efforts in ensuring the smoothness, efficiency and sense of dignity this evening engendered. Most importantly this evening clearly demonstrated who we are as a Catholic School in the Carmelite tradition which is the most important criteria of all.

Below I have printed the speech I delivered on this special occasion.

Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the Whitefriars College family. It is great to be with you tonight as we celebrate the efforts and achievements of the outstanding young men of our College.

This year, our College Board gifted us with a new Strategic Directions document. At the heart of this document are five values which provide us with a clear and solid foundation from which the intentions and work of our College flow. They are Faith, Gentleness, Excellence, Justice and Respect.

Tonight, we gather in a place where all of these values are on display. The value which is often highlighted on an occasion such as this is that of ‘excellence’. Some people, I think, get the wrong idea about the concept of excellence. Some suggest it to be associated with perfection, exactness, flawlessness. I don’t believe I am any of those things but that doesn’t mean that I can’t strive and achieve excellence.

Excellence isn’t about perfection. Excellence is about recognising the God-given gifts I have and using them to the fullest, whether in the classroom, on the playing field, on the stage or even in personal relationships with others. I think too that excellence is an attitude. But it is an attitude that takes courage, the courage to aim high, the courage to fail, to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off and try again. Remember, failure is not the opposite of excellence; it’s part of the journey toward it. Every time you fall, you have the opportunity to rise again, with greater strength, wisdom and humility.

I look around me tonight and I see courageous young men. Young men who have experienced failure but who are not afraid to fail. Young men who understand that excellence also means using your gifts and talents to help others to be excellent too. You see at Whitefriars Excellence is not an individual pursuit; it’s a communal one. Excellence doesn’t mean striving to outdo others, but rather lifting each other up, encouraging each other to be the best we can be. Whether you are working in groups, supporting a friend, or contributing to the life of the school, your excellence will inspire others to reach their full potential as well.

Excellence is also well related to our other values. Through our faith, we are called by Jesus to have life and have it to the full. To use our gifts to bring life and joy to others. Excellence is also about ‘justice’. Ensuring that my striving to be the best I can be does not hinder another. It is also about using my gifts to bring kindness, gentleness, justice and respect to others, particularly those in greatest need.

I challenge us all to think about how we can strive for excellence in our  lives—whether it’s in our studies, in relationships, in your spiritual life or in our personal growth. I ask myself, am I giving my best today? Am I living in a way that reflects the true meaning of Excellence at Whitefriars? Excellence founded on Faith, Gentleness, Justice and Respect?

Tonight, I also wish to thank all those students, parents and staff who have contributed to Whitefriars College this year. Many of you have made a positive and valuable contribution to the culture and identity of this great school and for that I am indebted. I would particularly like to pay tribute to the staff of Whitefriars who each day have provided great care and individual support of their students in the Carmelite tradition. To our student leaders, I thank you for your enthusiastic and passionate involvement in all aspects of the life of this College. Thanks also to our generous and thoughtful Parents Association led by Paul Virgona who have provided many memorable and valuable opportunities to bring our community together. I would also like to thank our College Board led by our Chair Margaret Mckenna for the selfless dedication and commitment to Whitefriars. I would like to thank our parents who have entrusted us with the care and education of your sons and who work in close partnership with our staff in helping them to reach their full potential.  Finally, I wish to thank our Carmelites led by our Chaplain Fr Paul Sireh, and our Provincial Fr Bruce Clark, who everyday through their presence and actions remind us of what it means to educate in the Carmelite way.

I would particularly like to congratulate all the young men here this evening who are being recognised for their hard work, diligence and commitment to all aspects of life at Whitefriars. I admire your courage and resolve in setting the bar high for yourselves, for supporting your teachers and your classmates and for taking on every opportunity and challenge our great school has to offer. Congratulations to you for living our Carmelite spirit of Contemplation, Community and Service. We are proud of you all. 

May I wish you all a happy, holy, restful and safe Christmas and I look forward to working with you in 2025 in support of the gentle men of Whitefriars College.

Mr Mark Murphy

Principal