Our Founder, Antonio Rosmini stated “believers are
thinkers: in believing you think and in thinking you believe. If faith does not
think, it is nothing”
He stood firmly in the belief that there is no
opposition between faith and reason, but that one demands the other.
For along time after starting school at Rosmini I
wondered what on earth that statement mean. After a while I plucked up enough
courage to go to Father Catcheside the then principal and ask, ‘Father, can you
please explain the meaning of that statement?”
He looked at me through those dark rimmed glasses and
replied “Copson, it simply means if you have belief in yourself and work hard
you will succeed, whatever the endeavour”.
Some months ago I was reading an Educational Review
Office report on Rosmini which stated “Rosmini students demonstrate a strong
sense of pride in their school and belief in their own ability to succeed.
On reading that report it brought back to me my teachings from Father Catcheside
all those years ago and the relevance of those wise words of Antonio Rosmini.
Thank you to the Rosmini Community for this special
award tonight.
Watching my boys Andrew and James go through the
Rosmini ranks, I have seen the pride in our Rosmini boys eyes and their sense
of commitment when they represent our school, whether that be on the academic
stage or the sports field, a sense of pride instilled in them by the teachers of
this fine school and by the coaches and parents supporting them – everyone
knows the standards, everyone knows what is
expected in terms of attitude and commitment.
Like many of you here, Rosmini, has given me long
lasting friendships some that started over 40 years ago. Many of my best mates
are here with us tonight.
They say that good friends are these that overlook
your weaknesses and encourage you in your strengths. For that guys I thank you.
I cannot finish tonight without acknowledging Tom
Gerrard and the team of highly
dedicated teaching professionals that have taught at Rosmini over the years.
Tom and his Rosmini team are highly respected by students, parents and the
wider community alike.
Rosmini to me is not just about educating young boys,
its about preparing them for the future, for developing good young men,
men who will one day help shape the future of our community and our country…
and hopefully in the spirit of our motto “Charity fulfils the law” carry on the
fantastic work of Antonio Rosmini and the institute of charity.