The latest news from the Master: Ms Rose Alwyn BA MBA
Tomorrow is University Open Day and as part of this, St Mark's College will be open from 10.00am - 4.30pm.
St Mark's reflects the academic and cultural diversity of our universities in Adelaide. At St Mark's you will live amongst other students from all over Australia and the world who are enrolled in a range of courses. St Mark's College is for city based and rural students, and provides academic, cultural and sporting programs enabling your education to be an all round experience.
Whilst St Mark's can best help you make the transition to university life in your first year, a College education for your entire degree offers the greatest opportunities to develop you into who you want to be and what mark you wish to make in the world.
At St Mark's we all work together to create a satisfying and nurturing environment that fosters a sense of belonging, promotes positive relationships amongst all members of the community and is organised around the experience of learning. The Master, Dean, Assistant Deans and Senior Academic Tutors and Floor Tutors are visible and available, working closely with residents, listening to concerns and responding if and when required. St Mark's prides itself on active student governance through its College Club that provides leadership opportunities for its undergraduate members.
So why not come and see for yourself, our dynamic, vibrant and inclusive community. Come and meet current students and talk to our staff - discover our academic and extra curricular activities and take a guided tour of our beautiful College campus.
We look forward to meeting you!
Before dawn this morning, a small gathering of current and former Collegians set off to the War Memorial on North Terrace to commemorate Anzac Day - the symbolism in the closeness of Easter and Anzac days this year, appeared more significant than previous years.
Today is also St Mark's day, which will be celebrated formally, next Sunday 1st May, the Sunday closest to 25th April.
As you will have read from my blog last year, St Mark's (College) was named in honour of the saint whose day the Anzac landing at Gallipoli took place. Our College is forever linked to the events and men of that day.
60 years ago, the (War) Memorial Building was opened and the Memorial Plaque unveiled by His Excellency the Governor, Lieutenant General Willoughby Norris, on the afternoon of Anzac Sunday, 20th April. The Plaque bears the names of eighteen members of the College who gave their lives in WWII.
"Profane and with Profundities their quiet graves;
Words are but Platitudes to the Dead
But rather, let us simply say -
"What men can suffer these men suffered.
What men can do - they did"
And then let us all our Praise be silent
And like our grief, be hid"
'At Gerhini' A War Poem, taken from "the Lion" (1951)
Each year, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide invites the heads of affiliated Residential Colleges to be part of the academic procession at the graduation ceremonies. Last week, I was delighted to be in a position to not only accept, but also to attend some of these ceremonies, in particular those where significant graduates were recent St Mark's graduates.
After hearing a number of addresses from various guest speakers, I was reminded of the commencement address given by JK Rowling to the Harvard graduates of 2008. At the conclusion of her talk, she said
"One of the many things I learned at the end of that Classics corridor down which I ventured at the age of 18, in search of something I could not then define, was this, written by the Greek author Plutarch: 'What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality'.
That is an astonishing statement and yet proven a thousand times every day of our lives. It expresses, in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, the fact that we touch other people's lives simply by existing.
But how much more are you, Harvard graduates of 2008, likely to touch other people's lives? Your intelligence, your capacity for hard work, the education you have earned and received, give you unique status, and unique responsibilities. Even your nationality sets you apart. The great majority of you belong to the world's only remaining superpower. The way you vote, the way you live, the way you protest, the pressure you bring to bear on your government, has an impact way beyond your borders. That is your privilege, and your burden.
If you choose to use your status and influence to raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice; if you choose to identify not only with the powerful, but with the powerless; if you retain the ability to imagine yourself into the lives of those who do not have your advantages, then it will not only be your proud families who celebrate your existence, but thousands and millions of people whose reality you have helped transform for the better. We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better."
Like the graduates of Harvard, the graduates of St Mark's will be world shapers, leaders and pillars of our community - and they will succeed if they 'reimagine their interior lives'.
I extend my congratulations both personally and on behalf of the College to all those recent St Mark's graduates (far too many to mention) who have successfully completed their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The new academic year is already upon us and another College O'week has successfully concluded.
At our opening service (St Peter's Cathedral 9.15am Sunday 27th February) we will be talking about living as a community, the College Values and the importance of living what we sign up to.
I will arrange for the a copy of the Chaplain's homily and my academic year opening address to be posted on the College web site early next week.
Best wishes to all for a successful 2011.
Open Day represents an opportunity to take a good look at the College's raison d'etre.
Raison d'etre is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the 'rational ground of existence'.
So what is the rational ground for the foundation and continuing existence of St Mark's College? It would be possible to define the reason for the College in terms of what was the intention of our founding fathers, and which has been, no less the intention of successive Masters of the College, that the College should be the place for fostering good learning.
The Rev'd Canon Julian Bickersteth, in 1959 said that "St Mark's was never to be merely a hostel but a college, whose dignity and standing would be demonstrated in many ways, but especially in the dining hall".
He went on to say that University students are aware of the claims of the two great branches of all worthwhile education known as the Humanities (Arts) or the Sciences (Science). In doing so he defined the two, one dealing with the meaning of the 'art of life' and the second with the 'art of living'.
A third branch of equal importance would surely be 'the art of living together'.
Of course all three are inextricably linked and cannot really be examined in isolation. However, it is worth remembering that we cannot do without the library or lecture room. We cannot do without the laboratory. However we cannot also do without the College and common room, where young men and women learn from sharing a common life - how to get on with each other in spite of differences in temperament, outlook and background, as articulated in our Values.
St Mark's, like other university residential Colleges, does more in helping students at an impressionable age to learn how to live together.
Back to the dining hall. The (common) dining table brings students together, where they may discuss, debate, laugh, share stories and make their contribution to solve problems in the global world. The association in the lecture theatre and in the laboratory have their value, but the common room or dining hall are surely of equal importance.
To those students in year 12 or on a gap year, you should come to St Mark's not with the sole objective of passing exams, but to gain life experience. This will ensure success for your future walks of life - to enjoy community life and to be an asset to the College in the various facets of activity. It is unlikely that you will obtain this elsewhere.
At St Mark's you mature and have the opportunity to make for yourself an atmosphere in which you would wish to mature, to grow, obtaining sanity and wisdom but keeping always the frivolity and happy spirit of youth, the combination of which is St Mark's.
St Mark's is a College to be proud of and a college worth working for.
Social innovation is the new trend. Obama has set up the Social Innovation Fund. Blair pioneered the Social Exclusion Unit. Rudd introduced the Social Inclusion Board. The Productivity Commission on not for profit organisations as recently as February this year, dedicated a chapter to social innovation.
Social enterprise is another social innovation that is a new way of taking a business approach to social issues and provide social purpose - our own St Mark's College Club Charitable Foundation is an example.
The St Mark's College Club Charitable Foundation was established at the first Ordinary General Meeting of the College Club in March. It was energising to see Gen Y students at St Mark's focus on looking outward rather than focusing inward; a theme which we have embraced this year. These students are multi-talented, creative and energetic and are committed to turning their talents and ideas to good community outcomes for the common good.
As a student at St Mark's in the 80s with a Master committed to social justice, followed by a 10 year career in the social welfare social justice sector, this new commitment to social entrepreneurship and innovation is inspiring and revitalising and aligned with the values of the College as articulated on our web site.
From time to time, Gen Y gets a bad rap. However they are increasingly known for their open-mindedness, tolerance of diversity, social and environmental consciousness and strong sense of social justice. The establishment of the Charitable Foundation is a practical example of this, and provides yet another opportunity for students at St Mark's to develop leadership skills and involve themselves in volunteer activities both Mark's and in the wider College community - again critical given that this generation spend less time on university campus and engaged in part-time employment than any other generation.
The Internet and internationalisation of education and society is providing our Gen Y students with a global perspective, and as a result they tend to embrace and be tolerant of diversity. While perceived often, as arrogant, uncommitted and self gratifying, they are often more optimistic, entrepreneurial and enterprising than their parents. They value wisdom and truth over authority. They are confident, sociable and lifestyle driven. They use facebook and twitter to share information and to organise. Our students are used to instant gratification, diversity, freedom and opportunity and they have a desire for flexibility. The Gen Ys at St Mark's seek authenticity in everything. They may be the Y generation but they are the why generation - they value understanding why we do things the way we do. Consistency is critical - it is because they are the connected generation; email, mobile phones, facebook, twitter - they use any and every opportunity to build connections and create a sense of belonging. This is why and how they will be successful and enterprising in their commitment to social justice. I congratulate them on their initiative, dedication and hard work.
Yesterday. the College community gathered together to celebrate its foundation and give thanks to its founders and benefactors for their achievements and vision in establishing the College.
April 25th is St Mark's Day and the chaplain reminded us during his sermon of how the College was named in honour of the saint whose day the Anzac landing at Gallipoli took place. The College might have been named Christ's or King's, however at the suggestion of Canon RP Hewgill it was given the name St Mark's[1]. The name of St Mark is appropriate, as the impetus for the founding of the College came from men returning to University after service in WWI, however by the time the College actually opened (March 24th, 1925) the men were too old. Our College is forever linked to the events and men of that day.
St Mark's Day is a time to honour the memory of the College's founders and all who sacrificed their lives for the benefit of our country. It is the sacrifice of these men that helps us understand and appreciate the depth of human truth that emerges from Anzac and the notion that sacrifice has an essential place in all of our lives. Sacrifice is part of nature, both at a conscious and an unconscious level. It forms an essential part of the human response to all of life. Put simply, our students at St Mark's know only too well, that sacrifice is vital in their pursuit for academic achievement, for success in sport, in relationships, in engaging and connecting with community. The associated sacrifice of time, the commitment to service and the responsibility to self, and the wider community - running a successful College Club relies on the sacrifices of committee members - of honest people who put aside self interest and take risks for the greater good. Students sacrifice sleep for study - or to attend a College sporting event - for the greater good of the College (and the High Table Cup!). But what of the leaders of the Anzac campaign and their sacrifice at the conscious and unconscious level? The phrase from the Gospel reading from John (15:9-17) "Greater love as no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" is powerful and challenges us to put aside self interest and ask what is right, true or honest. The ANZAC story invites us to make this rich heritage part of our own story, to add to this depth and history of loving and giving our own lives as we seek to live and work for the common good of our community.
In accepting the joys and sorrows of life, in our study and in our future lives, we honour the memory of this College's founders and all who gave their lives as sacrifices for the benefit of our country. "Spernit virtus humum".
[1] A draft press release originally included the following "THe choice of St Mark's for a name is a happy one - St Mark's Day is the same as Anzac Day - a day hallowed in Australian history for all time. No more fitting memorial to the young men who gave their lives in the great war could be found than the establishment of a College within whose walls the youth of today can learn how to spend nobly that live which the heroes of Anzac freely gave for the peace and safety of their country.
A new year begins...
Yesterday, in the Cathedral of St Peter, the College assembled together for its Commencement Service.
The Commencement Service actually marks the end of a period of induction and orientation for new students, and the beginning of the serious part of the year.
The service today also marked the commencement of our new chaplain, the Rev’d Mark Sibly. Mark has also been appointed as Senior Associate Priest at the Cathedral and this shared role is a special one. The Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Rev’d Dr Sarah Macneil and I look forward to the wonderful opportunities this presents for both of our communities.
Mark’s role, can best be described as ‘loitering with intent’ (a phrase I have borrowed from the Archbishop) – one of presence; of availability to students and staff, with an open door for whoever might drop by; of offering counselling and support, engaging in other dialogues, marshalling resources in difficult times, accompanying groups and individuals through various challenges, and mentoring students.
Whilst Christian values inform many aspects of our life together, spiritual dimensions of being human are expressed and explored in a variety of traditions, which is a diversity we value. At St Mark’s we are concerned with the overall wellbeing of every person in our community and with the quality of our life together. Helping to integrate the academic with other aspects of life - questions of vocation, personal relationships, experiencing native and diverse cultures, spirituality, physical and mental health – these are all very much part of our mission.
The commencement service also provides us with a perfect opportunity to reflect about what we intend to do individually this year; to think about our role in the College community and to dedicate ourselves not only to self development but to the development of the College and ultimately our broader community. Whatever happens in the College community affects us all positively or negatively at the time and afterwards.
The experience of College life is intense and comes at a critical time of personal development – here is where philosophies of life, work habits, career choices, lifelong friends are made and many other things crystallised – incredible when one thinks that one’s actual time in College is a very small proportion of one’s life - So I encourage you to make the most of your time at St Mark’s and begin with the end in mind.
This recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/lifting-the-lid-on-college-life-20090915-foli.html was originally forwarded to me by a former student of St Mark's and I have read the many responses, in particular those of my Colleagues at Trinity College Melbourne and St Andrew's in Sydney.
It is certainly a mistake to see the world of university residential colleges in general, as similar in content and tone to that which Alexis Carey argues, but equally a mistake to blindly defend where there may indeed be room for change. For example, maintaining tradition for tradition's sake - and indeed many College traditions can be seen as 'defending the indefensible', or as Oscar Wilde said (of fox-hunting) "the uneatable pursued by the unspeakable". Whilst an acknowledgement of one's history and traditions is important - revisiting history in that sense can, and should only serve to ensure that history does not repeat itself.
Australian university residential colleges still offer education as well as pedagogy in that many colleges also seek to provide working examples of tolerance of difference and non-discrimination. If a College refuses to accept that responsibility then they may find difficult in relating to the 'real world.'
In applying this further to College life, it is also Oscar Wilde that said "Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember that nothing worth knowing can be taught." There is a wide body of evidence (including a recent Harvard study) that supports the notion that the best learning at university occurs outside of 'the classroom' especially in student residential settings, combined with extracurricular activities. In other words an environment that sounds awfully similar to the one provided by St Mark's and other Adelaide residential colleges. It is just as vital to be engaged with one's peers as it is to study. Colleges aim to cater for both. Inter-college sport, and debating, social functions and 'in-house' activities create a continuing programme of interaction, multicultural exchange, spiritual development, enjoyment, celebration and fun as a community. With the absence of so many of these activities now from University Campuses, the Colleges have an even greater responsibility and role to play in the education and development of young people today.
St Mark's provides an open-minded education that fosters and encourages intellectual and personal breadth, learning through discussion and debate about a range of experiences and ideas.
In a world of rapid change, such an education should help equip the young people today with the skills that they need - skills of being able to master new and changing bodies of knowledge and expertise which have not been previously mastered - and so to be able to respond effectively to the change and growth of knowledge which is and will be one of the hallmarks of this century. A recent survey of Australian Employers showed that it is the attributes of written and oral communication, team work and problem solving that they are looking for. It is these skills that are developed and nurtured through a liberal education that also helps students to understand their specialty in a wider context.
College life can be superb, nurturing and uplifting, but it can be the opposite if shallow and anti-intellectual values are allowed to emerge as a dominant culture. Therefore, at St Mark's we always seek a balance in life which helps and encourages students themselves to maintain a balance so that they achieve to their fullest potential.
Articles such as Carey's remind us that we must maintain a culture of continuous improvement and be ever aware of the tone that we set in our own Colleges.
How many times have you heard it said "It doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game'?
We all know very well that it does matter whether you win or lose. And how you play the game is equally important. The means are important and not only the end.
'How you play the game' has many meanings. Certainly it means playing by the rules of the game. Playing the game properly with honesty and integrity also requires playing by rules beyond the game. Good sportsmanship is a central theme in any sport and integral to the success of any club or community. Being a good sport; acting fairly and accepting whatever situation we find ourselves in. Demonstrating humility in victory or in defeat reflects a team's culture just as how a team may celebrate its success or loss. There have been some instances in the last week on the international scene that certainly have not demonstrated humility (the US Open Tennis women's semi-final) or integrity (Formula One). Sporting heroes are required to be role models for our young people.
Modern day coaches might argue that it is best not to think about winning or losing and that the focus should be upon the processes because in the long run the wins and losses will take care themselves.
As the winter sports season here in Adelaide culminates in a series of finals, (and our own Inter-College sporting contest also draws to a close), I am reminded that in finals time, a season of blood, sweat and tears will mean nothing unless a team can hold on or come up with the winning strategy- sure processes, team structures and game plans all have a role. There's is no magic formula to success other than hard work, an iron will and the strictest of disciplines. In the end though, it's the team that wants it the most that will win.
One can't be in perfect form all the time and good form comes and goes in cycles. We all like to win - but it means nothing without integrity.
To those teams that have and do make the finals, my very best wishes for all you deserve.
