The Power of Curiosity: A Message from Principal Mr Vince Bellini

The age-old saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun,” has certainly rung true for me in the first few weeks of the school year. I have been very fortunate to meet many of the students, who have made me feel extremely welcome. It feels as if I have never left.

I have had opportunities to meet with both Year 7 and Year 10 parents, as well as a small group of parents who attended the Annual Community Meeting held on Wednesday night. I wish to thank each one of you who took the time to introduce yourselves to me at these events. I hope your children have had a smooth transition to the start of the year.

This year, I have introduced the theme “Be curious, not judgmental,” which I have used on several occasions when meeting with staff, students, and parents.

Why? In essence, it encourages an open-minded and inquisitive approach to life. Curiosity promotes understanding and leads to asking questions and seeking to appreciate other people’s perspectives. This compassionate approach can reduce misunderstandings and conflicts.

Curiosity encourages learning, helping you to learn new things and grow intellectually and emotionally. It fosters empathy; when you're curious about others' experiences and viewpoints, it can foster stronger relationships. (If you have two minutes, I encourage you to watch this short YouTube clip on Empathy vs. Sympathy from Brené Brown.)

Finally, curiosity reduces bias. Judging others often stems from preconceived notions or biases. Being curious helps challenge these viewpoints and promotes a more inclusive mindset.

As a Catholic College in the Mercy tradition, it is our role to assist in helping our students foster skills that will be used once they leave our College.

Catherine McAuley further highlighted empathy, compassion, and inclusivity when she said: "Compassion should be our animating principle when undertaking instruction with children and adults since they are made in God's image."

This quote emphasises the importance of compassion in all our interactions, recognising the inherent dignity and worth of every individual—values we hold very dear at Our Lady of Mercy.

I wish everyone a great year ahead and look forward to meeting you as the year progresses.

Vince Bellini Principal