As I get closer to the end of my tenure, many people are asking me what I will miss the most. To be honest, I’m not thinking about next year right now. Personally, I’ve got some things on my mind that place my priorities and value on each day. If push comes to shove, Thursday’s Italian Festa really drove home to me why CBC Fremantle has been such a blessing in my life.
I’m sure every school thinks it has a wonderful community, and my reflection today should not diminish that, but I have never been part of any community that has treated me the way this one does. The way this one supports each other, and the way this one is instantly recognised as being special by anyone who enters it the first time.
The past few weeks have been stressful in the Burgio household for many reasons, reasons enough for Mrs Burgio to put the cue in the rack after closing time. To watch her every night make the arrangements for the Italian Festa has inspired me.
Organising Ferraris, Maseratis, Fiat Bambinos, the Spaghetti Eating Contest - even going to the effort of making the sauce herself and not skimping has been her night time ritual for a few weeks.
What has made it all worth it is the response from our families.
Going above and beyond is an overwhelming attribute of our staff, both teaching and allied. At first, Ant was a little underwhelmed by the response, to only find out that she had made a mistake with the response link. When that was corrected, she was inundated with offers of support.
On Thursday a legion of helpers with all manner of delights descended on the Cloisters to fill a dozen trestle tables with sweets, savouries, pastas, pizza, gelato, and, most importantly, a helping hand.
To watch close to a thousand boys line up orderly, displaying their best manners and savouring as much as they could, brought me such an indescribable feeling of pride.
To have all this happening whilst our Director of Music conducted several renditions of ‘Volare’ and ‘That’s Amore’ was such a joy, and to have the visitors who owned the exotic cars fit seamlessly into the milieu emphasised the intangible welcome CBC Fremantle provides.
It is exemplified time and time again: Opening Mass, House Week Breakfast, Edmund Rice Day, Guest Speakers, Morning Tea Tours, and many, many more spirit-filled occasions where the best of CBC rises to the top.
This Saturday night will be my last Family Mass as Principal. I warmly invite as many of you as can make it to another celebration of our beautiful extended family.
What will I miss next year?
I will miss you!
Mr Domenic Burgio
Principal