Page 3 - Luce 2014

FRO M THE P RINCIPAL

Dr Powell joined with heads of Colleges and Universities of
From the Principal the Anglican Communion (CUAC) in Seoul, presenting a paper
on ethical leadership (see p. 21 and p. 29)

What is the role of an Anglican College in the 21st century? Theo to Catherine and Jamie Hart, and of Olivia to Donna
and Mike Davies. The joy of new life, and Mike’s appointment
This was the question that the heads of Anglican colleges as Headmaster of Trinity Grammar School, led the College
and universities from around world grappled with at the 8th to change its staffing arrangements as Donna took leadership
Triennial Conference of CUAC (Colleges and Universities in the new role of Vice-Principal (Studies) in first semester
of the Anglican Communion), and it was a great pleasure to and Fiona took on the new role of Vice-Principal (Students)
gather with them in Seoul this year and listen to their thoughts. in second semester, with Jack Tan stepping into the role of
Of course the issues facing Anglican tertiary institutions Director of Studies. In all this change the Student Club was
such as ours vary massively from region to region. An Indian a model of grace and acceptance, as students embraced the
educator spoke plainly and powerfully of the systematic presence of young families and working mothers and fathers
prejudice and abuse she faced not just from strangers, but with a real sense of joy.
members of her wider family, in a country where Christians
are placed outside the caste system with little recourse to Of course lives just started must eventually reach their end.
legal rights. A Maori-Pakeha educator reminded us that our In 2014 Dr Eva Eden reached the end of her journey. As
universities almost never reflect upon the tightly-ordered, Principal for twenty one years she presided during a period of
internally-sanctioned modes of learning which may ‘lock out’ unparalleled social and educational upheaval, and was always
the voices of many indigenous peoples of great wisdom and looking forward. As she reflected on her life, Eva felt that her
insight. years as Principal had been the defining ones within a long
and distinguished career. There was sadness as we gathered
As we considered ‘Education as Hope’, I was reminded that in the College to say goodbye to Eva, but equally a strong
whatever one makes of Australia’s changing higher education celebration of a life that leaves a strong legacy within and
‘settings’, there is still room for hope in Australia if we stay beyond our walls.
committed to the education of our best and brightest students,
and committed to providing real support for those facing Eva’s generosity through a significant final bequest has helped
disadvantage. At the University of Melbourne, the colleges the College to begin preparations for the first new building on
are well placed to do this. Janet Clarke Hall prides itself on our grounds since the completion of the Eva Eden Common
attention to detail, and we are committed to staying small and Room in 1973. Council’s decision to approve four new
seeking ‘best practice’ in everything we do. My own hope for teaching and learning spaces in a modular building underlines
our College, as an Anglican institution, is that the values we its confidence in our mission as a leading academic College
champion – social engagement, open and honest discussion, in which every student receives strong academic support and
practical leadership, genuine reflection upon privilege and care. As others expand, Council has noted our great strengths
compassion – will throw light on the bigger questions of in staying small and well focused on quality.
meaning and truth for our students, each of whom will have
some measure of power as they graduate from the University As the College now offers 70 tutorials a week to our 97
of Melbourne. students the new building, to be built offsite and ‘dropped
in’ between the end of the Scantlebury Wing and the tennis
Honestly told, the Christian story embraces the full range of court, will do more than this. It will provide a much-needed
human experience from life to death. It speaks, to believers, meeting room for students, staff, and Council members.
of an often fragile hope in the possibilities of redemption and Through the inclusion of a retractable wall on the ground
grace. 2014 was a year in which Janet Clarke Hall celebrated floor, it will open up as a space for alumni gatherings and
new life very fully among our residential staff, with the births meetings. And it will complete the design for the northern
of twin sisters Ella and Nina to Fiona and Xavier Cadorel, of … continued on p. 4
J anet Clarke Hall 3