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January 2008
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Headmaster's speech for
Founder's Day, January 20th 2008
I would like to start by saying a word of thanks to all the students and staff who helped to put this service together.
As you all know, the story of our School goes back to the nineteenth century when two Jewish brothers converted at different times to Catholicism. The second brother, Alphonse, was transfixed by a vision of Our Lady in a small church in Rome in 1842. Together they went on to Found the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion. In 1862, within a short space of time, Sisters of Sion arrived in Worthing and helped to build this Church and our School. One hundred and forty-six years ago the first pupils began the Sionian life in Worthing - at about the same time Florence Nightingale began one of her hospitals in London and the Pony Express was to make its first crossing of what was to become the United States of America. By the 1880's, twenty years after our School was Founded, the Sisters had opened schools in ten countries across the world.
We are all part of this history. It's humbling to think about the length of tradition in which we are involved.
Since the Founding of our School many, many things are now different in the world - much of our way of life has changed beyond recognition. Today we have lightning quick access to data, we have made technological advances that were beyond the wildest dreams of the Victorian society when our School was Founded. Much of this change has been for the better and has improved the standard of living of many people across the world. No doubt the speed of change will continue and increase … who knows what will be the future outcomes?
But in our lives and in the School there is much that is not bound by time … it's timeless, the quest for truth; the relentless desire we have to create a world of justice, peace and charity; the search for God.
As we celebrate Founders' Day, take some time to think about the women and men who contributed much to our School. Appreciate the themes of the past, but interpret and develop them as you move into the future.
In remembering the Founders we again commit ourselves to our mission. That mission is needed as much today as it ever has been.
To our young people I would like to say this … keep the faith, never be afraid to believe. Believe in, and fight for, justice and compassion in the world; live your lives for others; believe that you can make a difference. In doing this you will be carrying on the traditions of Our Lady of Sion. In doing this you will be a dynamic force for good. Believe it … who knows what can happen?