Message from Mrs Kay Robinson, Australia

Message from Mrs Kay Robinson

As soon as you enter St Joseph’s School in Bajpe, you are aware that it is a happy place.

The students come from the local village or from communities that are further away, have differing faiths and speak a variety of languages. Yet there is no feeling of disparity or fragmentation as all students are treated respectfully and communication is not an issue.

The Christian Brothers have been a presence here for some time and it largely due to them that St Joseph’s is able to welcome and nurture these young people from so many different backgrounds.

Brother Hector for example, is able to switch seamlessly from his mother tongue to English and he and the other Brothers enjoy and cultivate an enviable relationship with the students. The students have great affection and loyalty to them and repay this with success and respect.

To say that the Brothers on the staff work hard and with professionalism is to underestimate their contribution grossly. They have dedicated their lives to the service of the young people in their care, to ensure they succeed academically, play sport for their school if they wish and are equipped for the next stage of their lives. The number of past students who keep in touch, or who have decided to follow their example and enter the Brotherhood, is surely testament to the enormous impact the Brothers have had. Dedicated, generous, humorous and selfless, these men have been an example of how teachers can be caring and friendly with those in their care and still maintain the proper relationship that engenders respect and hard work.

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have met them and shared so many hours in such a friendly and happy place.

Kay Robinson
Staff, Seymour College,
Australia