JOURNEYING WITH YOUTH
By Dean Wearmouth, Principal, St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College, Auckland
At the heart of Jesuit education lies the principle of cura personalis, or “care for the whole person”. This principle calls us to recognise and nurture all aspects of human growth for our students.
We believe that education is not just about imparting knowledge but about forming well-rounded individuals who are prepared to lead and serve; individuals who know who they are and what they can contribute to the world.
Some of the ways we put cura personalis into practice are through our student electives and House activities during Magis time. These electives offer students the opportunity to explore their passions and develop new skills in an environment that is different to timetabled subjects in classes. Whether it’s the arts, sports, or academic pursuits, these electives empower students to make choices and to grow in confidence.
House Time, on the other hand, fosters a sense of belonging and school spirit, allowing students to connect across year levels, build friendships and grow important skills in working with others towards achieving in many different disciplines; students learn they can achieve in many areas of life. Together, electives and House Time embody our commitment to holistic growth and community building.
Our dedication to cura personalis extends into who we are as a faith community, as we seek to find God in every interaction. By nurturing this, our students grow in their own self-worth and see the worthiness of others. We aim to cultivate a spirit of solidarity and responsibility that students carry with them into the wider world and in the years beyond school life.
This holistic approach means that we not only challenge our students academically but also support their emotional, social and spiritual development. We guide them to discover their strengths, confront their challenges, and grow into compassionate, confident leaders.
It is through this approach and our pattern of reflection in the daily life of the school that we are seeing genuine and exciting growth in the students, while they too are seeing it in themselves; they are finding God in themselves and growing to become who they have been created and called to be.
Banner image by Dan Bolger shows afternoon light on the beach at Broulee Headland in NSW.