The concept of Cura Personalis is central to the philosophy of Jesuit education and
it applies not just to students but equally to parents as they journey with their
son during his time in Gonzaga. Three dimensions of this “care of the whole person”
are:
1. Deep appreciation and respect for each individual person.
2. Engagement in personal relationships.
3. Empowering development of the whole person.
An expression of this ideal is realised in the Parents’ Forum. This thinking was
central to the establishment of the Parents’ Forum in 1990. In fact this year we
are celebrating our 21st anniversary.
The Parents’Forum is an integral part of the school life in Gonzaga. Originally it
was conceived and structured to give parents an opportunity to share in and support
the distinctive ethos of the College.
The Forum provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to get involved with the school
as their son progresses from first year to graduation in sixth year. It also gives
all parents an opportunity to get to know each other, share their concerns and support
each other in a very caring environment. Each development milestone their son encounters
brings its own concerns, anxieties and opportunities. The Forum provides a structure
where parents can become more informed and involved and address these concerns together.
Structure of the Forum
Each year group in the college has its own committee. This committee is usually formed
in the September of the first year. The committee is formed with ten to twelve parents
who elect a Treasurer, Secretary and Chairperson. This committee stays in office
for three years i.e. the junior cycle years. For the senior cycle a new committee
is elected and they continue to the end of sixth year. Over the last 21 years more
than 1050 parents have volunteered for the various Forum committees and have made
an invaluable contribution to the life and work of the college. Each Forum is named
after the year their son will graduate i.e. the present sixth year is called Forum
2011, and the present first year Forum is known as Forum 2016. The Forum is self-financing;
each family makes a small subscription at the beginning of the year. The committees
of each Forum organise two or three events each year at which all the parents of
that year group attend. With the new theatre and building we now have a wonderful
opportunity to invite many more guest speakers and organise a greater variety of
events. On the first three Sundays of lent each year the junior cycle Parents’ Forum
organise a family mass for their respective year group, in the College Chapel. This
is a great occasion for all the members of the student’s family to come together
to celebrate their uniqueness.
The success of the Parents’ Forum is acknowledged by all. This can be seen in the
bond and friendship of some of the committees who meet regularly on a social basis
many years after their son has graduated from Gonzaga.
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