Page 77 - The Gonzaga Record 1987
P. 77
FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DESK
Having just completed ten years as a student at Gonzaga, I believe that
a retrospective glance at the education I received, or didn't receive, would
be very profitable.
Because it is a fee-paying school with an entrance examination, almost
all the pupils come from middle-class backgrounds. Thus the segregation
from our less fortunate fellow citizens, already set in motion by where we
live, is advanced. In my opinion, this polarisation culminates in a lack
of respect and understanding on our part of the less well off, and of their
plight. This year, the Inaugural Urban Plunge took place, and eight
Sixth-Year students spent forty-eight hours living in the inner city. It was
designed as an exercise to acquaint oneself with the people of the inner
city and the problems they faced. It proved to be a very rich experience,
and I would highly recommend it, or some similar exercise, to every
student.
Another inaugural experiment for the Sixth Year this year was the
Lourdes Pilgrimage, which is to become an annual event. It is very hard
to capture the spirit of Lourdes on paper; it is something which must be
experienced at firsthand; What it offers is an insight into human
suffering and kindness, and in a year which, owing to exam pressure is
very introverted, it serves to focus one's attention, if only for a week, on
the well-being of others. The experience certainly provided inspiration
for, and left its mark on all the ten students who made the journey.
The Fifth Year Project is another event in which I would highly
recommend active participation. Its benefits are twofold: it is an exercise
in helping the poor and needy and also in getting to know one~s
classmates. Upon completion, one is left with a sense of fulfilment, and
obviously the more one puts into its planning, the greater reward one
expenences.
My memories of Gonzaga will always be pleasant, as I was always very
happy here. The key to the happiness, in my opinion, was involvement
in extra-curricular activities. I was fortunate, however, because I enjoyed
playing rugby, and I have long felt that one of the major shortcomings
of the College is that it does not offer an alternative sport from
September to March for those who don't play the game. Another
shortfall extends into the class room. The College has yet to introduce to
its students the chance to study practical subjects such as wood-work or
metal-work. When the Provincial of the Jesuits, Fr Philip Harnett SJ,
visited the school he was advised of this situation and promised to look
into the matter in detail. I sincerely hope that this will lead to an
extension in the extra-curricular options open to students.
Another suggestion aired at the meeting with the Provincial was the
formation of a school council. This group would act in an advisory
capacity to the Headmaster, and would have representatives from each
year on it. In my opinion, this addition would be of great benefit to the
75
Having just completed ten years as a student at Gonzaga, I believe that
a retrospective glance at the education I received, or didn't receive, would
be very profitable.
Because it is a fee-paying school with an entrance examination, almost
all the pupils come from middle-class backgrounds. Thus the segregation
from our less fortunate fellow citizens, already set in motion by where we
live, is advanced. In my opinion, this polarisation culminates in a lack
of respect and understanding on our part of the less well off, and of their
plight. This year, the Inaugural Urban Plunge took place, and eight
Sixth-Year students spent forty-eight hours living in the inner city. It was
designed as an exercise to acquaint oneself with the people of the inner
city and the problems they faced. It proved to be a very rich experience,
and I would highly recommend it, or some similar exercise, to every
student.
Another inaugural experiment for the Sixth Year this year was the
Lourdes Pilgrimage, which is to become an annual event. It is very hard
to capture the spirit of Lourdes on paper; it is something which must be
experienced at firsthand; What it offers is an insight into human
suffering and kindness, and in a year which, owing to exam pressure is
very introverted, it serves to focus one's attention, if only for a week, on
the well-being of others. The experience certainly provided inspiration
for, and left its mark on all the ten students who made the journey.
The Fifth Year Project is another event in which I would highly
recommend active participation. Its benefits are twofold: it is an exercise
in helping the poor and needy and also in getting to know one~s
classmates. Upon completion, one is left with a sense of fulfilment, and
obviously the more one puts into its planning, the greater reward one
expenences.
My memories of Gonzaga will always be pleasant, as I was always very
happy here. The key to the happiness, in my opinion, was involvement
in extra-curricular activities. I was fortunate, however, because I enjoyed
playing rugby, and I have long felt that one of the major shortcomings
of the College is that it does not offer an alternative sport from
September to March for those who don't play the game. Another
shortfall extends into the class room. The College has yet to introduce to
its students the chance to study practical subjects such as wood-work or
metal-work. When the Provincial of the Jesuits, Fr Philip Harnett SJ,
visited the school he was advised of this situation and promised to look
into the matter in detail. I sincerely hope that this will lead to an
extension in the extra-curricular options open to students.
Another suggestion aired at the meeting with the Provincial was the
formation of a school council. This group would act in an advisory
capacity to the Headmaster, and would have representatives from each
year on it. In my opinion, this addition would be of great benefit to the
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