Churchill Avenue News - Vale Robert Brennan

As we reflect on our first term of 2024, it would be remiss of us not to spend some time remembering all that our Principal, Robert Brennan, did for our community.

Throughout the newsletter, you will find heartfelt reflections from both staff and students as we remember his impactful leadership and unwavering dedication to our school community.

Mr. Brennan's passion for seeing students thrive was inspiring, and although his absence is deeply felt, his legacy will continue to inspire us. As such, alongside these reflections, we have included our usual segment about student events and activities. 
It's a testament to Mr. Brennan's vision and spirit, who always took joy in the achievements and endeavors of our students.
Let us honor his memory by continuing to embrace these opportunities for growth and success together, and return in Term 2 ready to see his vision for our community flourish.

Laura Ruddick, Acting Principal

Rob was a student at the college himself, and a local as he grew up in the area. He wanted to come back and create a school that was the standard that the kids of the western suburbs deserved.

Every decision he made was with the students in mind and he wanted to make sure we were an inclusive community and one that was prepared to give back to the local community.

He understood the importance of programs such as our after school program and breakfast club which he ensured had funding and support so that all students had a safe space and felt a sense of belonging to our community.

For me, it was his honesty, passion for learning and genuine belief in our community that I find inspiring. Rob as a leader made sure people felt seen and heard and he modelled this in everything he did. He truly lived out the ethos of Catholic education, where the dignity of each person is paramount.

" He truly lived out the ethos of Catholic education, where the dignity of each person is paramount"

Through his passion for learning and teaching and his belief that all students have the right to a high-quality education, he transformed the learning culture here at the college.

In the three years he was our college principal, he improved our VCE results, and our average study score went from 28 to 30 increasing each year. Rob was cherished by all, and though his absence will be deeply felt, the College’s leadership team is committed to carrying forward his legacy and realising his vision.

We will uphold his dedication to ensuring that every student feels valued and empowered to accomplish their dreams.

Luke Muscara, Year 12, Sport Captain

I'm Luke Muscara, a Year 12 student and one of the Sport Captains of the college. Mr. Brennan has played an integral role in shaping me into the person I am today. 

Mr. Brennan became principal of the college in 2021, the same year I was appointed House Captain, and at that time, I was first exposed to his relentless and confronting determination. Being a Year 9 Captain seemed to be a minute role in the grand scheme of things, but he was sure to put that narrative to sleep when he put an emphasis on how important each leader was to the college. It was then I realised I actually can't take the mickey out this role and I need to try, or I'm done for. 

He'd always be sure to greet and farewell students at the front of the school, never missing anyone and ensuring that each "Good morning!" and "Goodbye!" was just as enthusiastic as the previous one. He'd be sure to converse with everyone during snack and lunch, not to build a façade, but because he was truly invested in us. I'd love our talks about footy and I am so very grateful that he, as a Richmond fan showed mercy to me, a North Melbourne faithful, when talking about the current AFL season. His optimism never went unnoticed as he was persistent on getting CCCC to the top in academics and sports no matter the obstacles that stood in the way.

In fact, his optimism and ability to see the potential in individuals is the reason I applied for Sport Captaincy. I thought my time as a leader was up, and he was disappointed that I believed that. I'll never forget the meeting I had with him the week before the end of 2023 about the future of sports. He believed that I, along with all other members leadership could leave a long lasting impact. He believed this school was bound for greatness. I couldn't really see it, but Robert Brennan is the reason I can now see that vision. Although that was our last encounter, it was an encounter that demonstrated the man he was. His love for education was second to none, but nothing could, and nothing ever will, trump the love and care he showed towards his staff and students. 

"His love for education was second to none, but nothing could, and nothing ever will, trump the love and care he showed towards his staff and students"

Though it was a pain to many, I would be so happy to have just one more 20 min concluding message at the end of term assembly. Absolutely riddled with sporting quotes and the occasional Dr. Seuss reference. I had a grasp of how much he cared but never knew the gravity of it until he was gone. The legacy he left after only 3 years in his role is so pure and strong that it will last for years to come. Mr. Brennan will always be missed but never forgotten. Truly a symbol of what Caroline Chisholm Catholic College stands for.

Molly Coyne, Director of Campus, Sacred Heart

Having worked across two educational systems and in four schools I can honestly say that Rob was by far the most approachable, present, visible and hands on Principal I have ever worked with.

He was always at the front door in the mornings, out in the yard everyday and he was an absolute example of when a leaders door is really open all the time for staff. 
In my role I had the privilege of working closely with Rob over the last few years and so I was lucky to get to know him as a person also. 

Rob was one of the kindest, generous, most caring and supportive people that I was so lucky to also call my friend. He loved his role as the Principal at CCCC and he had no greater pleasure than when the students here had success, whether it was in class/subject experiences, in sport, in extra curricular or just enjoying time in the yard with friends. 

"He loved his role as the Principal at CCCC and he had no greater pleasure than when the students here had success"

I was in the yard with Rob once and he said to me, ‘look around at how lucky we are to educate in this school with these amazing young people’. 

I always remembered that because of the proud and joyous way he said it to me as he looked around at our school and our students. Rob will be greatly missed by our whole community and I feel honoured and privileged to have worked with him for four years.

A Man Of Faith - Tristan O'Brien, Deputy Principal, Faith and Mission

It can be hard to write about one’s own faith and spirituality, yet to try and reflect on the contribution and faith-life of another is far more challenging. In this reflection on Rob Brennan I hope to sketch a few observations of a man of faith lived with trust, hope and love.

Drawing on Rob’s love for the Salesians, a Catholic religious order founded by St John Bosco in 19^th Century Italy, it is clear he took this charism to heart. Don Bosco, the founder, spoke of how “young people are not only [to be] loved, but that they themselves [must] know they are loved.” 

"With many busy demands on his time, he never failed to be amongst the young people ... ensuring that 'they themselves knew they were loved'

This is something I found remarkable in Rob. With the many busy demands on his time he never failed to be amongst the young people, especially when they were having recreation. This too was a piece of advice from Don Bosco, that when we educate and form young people we can achieve so much more if they trust and love their mentors. This can only truly come to fruition if educators, such as Rob, mingle among young people in the classroom, the yard, the prayer spaces and community gatherings.

It is remarkable then, that when Rob returned to Caroline Chisholm Catholic College, his alma mater, that he could bring with him the best of the Salesian charism while striving to embody the spirit of Caroline Chisholm. Caroline strove to uphold the dignity of women, young people, and those in need through employment, accommodation and education. When she was guiding others on how to work with young people she said: “much will depend on your conduct, as children learn more from example than precept.” How truly did Rob innately manifest this wisdom! When it could be simpler to speak of faith, acceptance, compassion and excellence, Rob’s lived example of these values were more profound than any words. A man of steady faith, who accepted all people as they were, had compassion for the young – especially those most in need, and pushed himself and others to achieve excellence in all things. Blessed are we who were taught by Rob’s example.

The final piece of the puzzle in the faith narrative I wish to recount is the centrality of the heart. Don Bosco always spoke of knowing the heart of a young person: to know them truly was to know their heart, their fears, hopes, dreams, strengths and weaknesses. Once we know a person’s heart, we can offer them affirming love. However, the charism of the Sacred Heart so tied to our college also speaks to Rob’s faith. From the brothers and sisters of the Sacred Heart our college has been gifted with a simple message: to believe in God’s love, to live it, and to share it with our young people. Here Rob excelled. If education is a matter of the heart, let us recall Rob’s loving kindness toward each young person, showing them the patience, forbearance, optimism and generosity their innate dignity deserved.

As we mourn Rob’s passing may we also count our blessings for a man of faith who made himself a loving presence among them, not as a lofty individual, rather a humble educator for whom success was measured by the greater good of his faith community.

Micah Cursio, Year 12, College Captain

I’ve known Mr Brennan since I was in Year 9. I met him on my first day as a Campus Captain.

From that day I knew he was going to be a person to count on and look up to. The way he interacted with us and was always ready to strike up a conversation about anything showed his commitment to making close relationships with us students because he truly cared for us. You’d always see him taking same route around the campus and being at the door everyday with a smile and ‘good morning’. Many of us would get excited to see a Principal as involved as he was, and it motivated us to care more about school because we knew how much he did. 

"It motivated us to care more about school, because we knew how much he did"

One of my last memories with Sir is one I hold very close to my heart. We had just done an assembly for the next years Year 12s (us!!) and I walked out of the school later than everyone else. Sir stopped me to ask if his speech was too boring, I laughed and told him no of course not, it was just the end of the day on a Friday and everyone was tired. He told me about his visions of the potential in our year level and the hard work we have ahead of us, and he left me with a quote that I later wrote in my notes - “You can only worry about what you can control, don’t waste your time worrying about what you can’t control” and I know that I can keep applying that to my situation anytime it gets hard, and I will get through it. 

So I thank Mr Brennan and will forever remember the pride and trust he had in each and every one of us as students of the college whether they knew it or not, and I will continue to lead through my role now as a College Captain with his vision in mind.

Stephanie Banks, Deputy Principal, Student Wellbeing

In the early weeks of term, I had the privilege of speaking with Mr. Brennan. I communicated to him the pride we all feel for each one of you. I shared with him the exceptional start to the year we experienced and marvelled at the level of engagement and enthusiasm displayed by you, our students. In my time at the college, I can attest that this term has been one of the most successful and harmonious beginnings I have witnessed.

Mr. Brennan and I delved deeply into discussions about our community's identity and its appearance. We pondered over what defines us and how our students recognize their belonging. These conversations spanned months, revolving around principles like 'giving every student a fair go' and ensuring equitable access to education for all. Over the past three years, the college has diligently worked to establish policies and procedures to uphold these principles. You may have encountered instances such as parent meetings, uniform reminders, or student management plans. Know that these measures are in place to support you, enabling you to reach your full potential. It is evident that through your embrace of these efforts, we have witnessed continuous improvement in our outcomes each year.

Now, it falls upon each of us to uphold the vision and high expectations set by Mr. Brennan. Let us take this moment to reflect on the successes of this term, to celebrate our achievements, and to acknowledge the areas where growth and improvement are needed.