Apt name for school
THE Far North’s newest high school has a name.
Planned to open on the James Cook University campus at Smithfield in 2022, Newman Catholic College was endorsed by Cairns Bishop James Foley following community consultation and recommendations from the Catholic Northern Beaches Parish.
John Henry Newman was a 19th century English theologian and poet, who was first an Anglican priest and later a Catholic priest and cardinal.
He was canonised by Pope Francis in October this year, the first English saint in 300 years.
“Having spent considerable time with the writings of John Henry Newman, I was delighted with the local recommendation,” Bishop Foley said.
“He had a long association with Oxford University as a scholar, teacher and priest, which became estranged in his conversion to the Catholic faith but later restored as the first honorary fellow of Trinity College.”
One of St Newman’s most influential works was The Idea of a University which includes the passage: “The university … educates the intellect to reason well in all matters, to reach out towards truth and to grasp it”.
Bishop Foley said another learning from the publication was the recognition of the need for a respectful relationship between universities and the church and the belief that each should maintain an independent role.
“With such a scholarly and insightful background, we could not imagine a more appropriate name for a Catholic college set within a university campus,” he said.
Bishop Foley said he had also endorsed the parishioners’ recommendation for the college to adopt Franciscan values. “The Franciscan charism is based on the spirituality of St Francis and St Clare of Assisi and embraces the values of creating a caring community, showing compassion, reverencing all of creation and making peace,” he said.
“It has particular relevance today in the example and teachings of our Pope.”
Catholic Education Services executive director Bill Dixon said the new college was on track to open for Year 7 in 2022. The college is expected to have about 750 students by the time all year levels are offered in 2027.