25 September, 2024
Dear Reader,
If you are concerned about the increasing ‘bureaucratisation’ of western institutions you might appreciate my recent Quadrant article The Corporate Cancer Destroying our Institutions.
I was also interviewed by Dutch theologian Prof Benno Zuiddam a couple of weeks ago on my involvement with the Dawson Centre and related matters: if you wish you can see it here.
I have just attended a ‘classical education’ seminar in Brisbane organised by Dr Kevin Donnelly. Eight excellent speakers gave us an exhausting but inspirational day. This ‘classical schools’ movement is experiencing phenomenal growth. To illustrate that, the first Chesterton School opened in Minnesota in 2008; there are now 62 of them throughout the US! And the Chesterton Schools are just one manifestation of this growing international zeal for a return to truth-based education, disciplined learning, and the pursuit of virtue. This is not just a Catholic thing either: many such institutions are emerging within Protestant Christianity, and indeed in non-faith based communities. Parents want values not wokery. We at the Dawson Centre have a special affection for Toowoomba Christian College that made a corporate decision to ‘go classical’ after several staff attended one of our Hobart Colloquia!
We have another guest feature this week, this time an account by Jack Snelling, Chairman of the Board of St Benedict’s School, Adelaide, of the founding of a Catholic classical school. Read it immediately below.
Sadly, our Greek summer school might have to be cancelled. For the first time we have had no enrolments. If there’s the slightest chance that you might be tempted, do please write to me at once and let me try to persuade you. I enjoy teaching it, and I think those who do it value the experience of coming into direct linguistic contact with the founders of our Faith!
With best wishes to all, as ever,
David Daintree
BIRTH OF A NEW SCHOOL
by Jack Snelling
After I retired from politics, I took up bike riding through the Adelaide Hills. In December 2022 I rode through the village of Springhead which consists of dairy farms, a Lutheran Church that had been built in the mid-19th century by German settlers, and a Lutheran school that had opened in 1893. As I rode past, seemingly by chance, I recalled that I had been told a few years earlier that the school had closed because of insufficient enrolments.
After some phone calls, I confirmed that the school was closed and that the property was owned by the Lutheran congregation who worshipped in the church. This was the moment when St Benedict School went from being a dream to something real. In the face of so many obstacles, God had cleared the way.
St Benedict School arose from the desire among young Catholic families attending the Latin Mass at Holy Name Church in Adelaide for a school that aligned to the customs and rhythms of the liturgy their children experienced on Sunday.
But we also recognised that there was something not right with modern education. When we listen to leaders in the sector, much is said about the importance of producing graduates who have relevant skills and are ‘job-ready’. Children, we are told, must be familiar with the latest technology so as not to be left behind in a rapidly evolving workplace.
There is nothing wrong with teaching skills that are useful in the workplace, but when this becomes the raison d’etre of a school, it unwittingly adopts the materialist narrative that human flourishing comes from no purpose beyond satisfying our desires. Rather than developing a sense of being a ‘a divine locus of value’ students see their value in their utility. This is the reason that in age of material abundance many of our children fail to flourish.
Our vision is for a school that teaches children that they are loved by God. If a child leaves St Benedict School knowing only this, we have succeeded in our mission.
The Montessori-inspired Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has been running in our church community for several years, and it taps the potential for children to slow down, to be still and to contemplate. If I hadn’t seen rumbunctious four-year-olds working quietly in our Atrium, I would not have believed it. We want our school to capture that same environment of festina lente!
St Benedict School opened in January this year with 29 children enrolled from Reception to Year 4. Next year we will add Year 5 and then Year 6. We are discerning whether to keep adding year levels beyond primary schooling. We have almost 50 enrolments next year; there is a deep hunger for what St Benedict School offers.
When you visit the school, the sense of peace and order is striking. Children are polite and friendly, welcoming visitors with ‘Salve, et benedicat te Deus.’ The school is on beautiful grounds, surrounded by dairy farms and vineyards, and the children keep chickens and an orchard. A creek winds through the property. The children are immersed in God’s creation.
It is more than we could have imagined or hoped for. Understandably, some parents initially resisted the school being so far from Adelaide (about 45 minutes). But recently when talking with parents, they told me that their children were so in love with the property that even if an opportunity presented to re-locate closer to Adelaide, they would prefer we remain at Springhead.
God has been generous in the teaching staff who have joined the community. Our principal, Fernando Farrugia, is a leader of courage and deep faith, and our gifted teachers model Christ to the children.
The children learn Latin and singing as well as the core subjects of English, science and maths. They learn the Catholic faith in all the richness of its traditions. While technology has a place, it is not in the early years when we want children to love beautiful books and to learn the fine motor skills required for beautiful handwriting.
Our parents strengthen each other and participate in the life of the school. Every day there are at least several parents helping in some way. They are integral to the smooth operating of St Benedict School.
A series of seemingly unconnected events led to the establishment of St Benedict School – COVID, my taking up bike riding, the closing of a Lutheran school in 2017 and the evolution of classical education, among others. It reminds me of God’s intimate involvement in my life if I allow Him the space to act. It is not only the children who are learning Deus Caritas est!
The young people who attend St Benedict School go out into a world that has forgotten its patrimony and is experiencing an existential crisis. Our prayer is that like St Benedict in the 6th century, the witness of their lives – by Jesus shining on others through them – will remind the world that God is near.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jack Snelling was the Labor member for the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Playford from the 1997 election until his retirement in 2018. Snelling left the Labor Party in 2021 to found the Family First Party
SUMMER SCHOOLS
BOOK NOW ONLINE
MEDIEVAL LATIN & BIBLICAL AND KOINE GREEK
2023 COLLOQUIUM BOOK
WOKERY – A WAKE-UP CALL FOR THE WEST, the complete proceedings of last year’s Colloquium, is now on sale. The cost is $35 (postage included). ORDER ONLINE HERE or write to us at director@dawsoncentre.org.
FOR FURTHER READING
GLOBAL GOVERNMENT –
WHENEVER DID WE VOTE FOR THIS?
These are strong claims from an organisation that, in recent years, has had a weak record in the pursuit of human flourishing. Tens of thousands of children die every day of malnutrition and the effects of bad water, and the culprit is always identified as something abstract (‘climate change’, ‘gender equality’ and so forth), yet rarely sheeted home to human indifference and greed. It seems our elected leaders, having confused their priorities, are offloading their responsibilities on to unelected cabals and NGOs. Oh for an Edmund Burke to address the General Assembly! Our society must be ‘a partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born.’
NEW JOURNAL – EDUCERE
Still on the subject of classical education, that admirable organisation Logos Australis has just launched its new journal Educere. You can see a free full advance review copy of the first number here. Volume 1, issue 1 contains articles by Kenneth Crowther, David Daintree, Karina Hepner, Natalie Kennedy, Paul Morrissey and Andy Mullins.
COMING EVENTS
HOBART COURSES
Bible Study on Isaiah: Discover the prophet Isaiah, his turbulent times, and his prophecies. Known as the ‘Fifth Gospel’, this literary masterpiece offers much spiritual nourishment for us today.
Fortnightly on Tuesdays 10.30am -12.00pm, from 8 Oct to 3 Dec. (5 sessions).
Theology of God, Angels, and the Human Person Course: A scriptural and theological dive into the mystery of God, the nature and role of angels, and what it means to be human.
Weekly on Thursdays 10.30am -12.00pm, from 31 Oct. to 5 Dec. (6 sessions).
Both at the Lindisfarne Pastoral Centre, 3 Bay Rd, Lindisfarne. To register for either course ring 6208-6236 or write to christine.wood@aohtas.org.au. Bring a Bible, notepad and pen.
MELBOURNE PROTEST MEETING, TREASURY GARDENS
SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER, AT 1PM
In loving memory of the babies lost in abortion in Victoria and to help end abortion in Victoria, and for better supports for pregnant women. Family-Friendly event with a Police presence.
- The Victorian Abortion Law Reform Act 2008 effectively legalised abortion up to birth for any reason. It is one of the most brutal and extreme laws in the world.
- Babies born alive in abortion are left to die (by legal omission)
- Sex-selective abortion is legal.
- There are no safeguards for women considering abortion such as independent counselling.
- Doctors with a conscientious objection to abortion are compelled to refer for abortion.
- Babies are not anaesthetised prior to an abortion.
CHESTERTON SOCIETY ANNUAL CONFERENCE
At Campion College, Sydney, on Saturday 2 November. Details Here.
DAWSON CENTRE SUMMER SCHOOLS
JANUARY 2025
LATE AND ECCLESIASTICAL LATIN
Monday 6 to Friday 10 January 2025
Venue: Notre Dame Priory, Colebrook, Tasmania
The Latin school assumes some prior knowledge of the language and leads participants through a selection of important readings in poetry and prose, sacred and secular, from authors such as Augustine, Jerome, Bede, Peter Abelard, Aquinas, the Carmina Burana, and even Dante. In date our selections range from the poet Virgil to the abdication speech of Pope Benedict! There will also be a segment on palaeography when participants can handle real medieval manuscripts. Note that this course does not take any position on the liturgical use of Latin, but it recognises that Latin remains the official language of the western Church and acknowledges the insistence of the last four popes that Latin must be preserved! Accommodation may be available on request at the Priory. Enquiries to guestmaster@notredamemonastery.org.
BIBLICAL GREEK FOR BEGINNERS
Monday 13 to Friday 17 January 2025
Venue: Fr John Wall Memorial Library, 131 Tower Road, New Town, Tasmania
The New Testament and Koine Greek school is for beginners who want to experience the excitement of reading parts of the Bible in the original language. We shall read extracts from the Gospel and Epistles, as well as some important passages from the Septuagint (the ancient Greek version of the Old Testament), as well as some pieces from the early Fathers of the Church and the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom.
For all booking details and enquiries, email director@dawsoncentre.org