Our Whitefriars Opening School Mass was a beautiful celebration of our Carmelite way of community, prayer and service.

Led by our College Chaplain, Fr Matthew Tonini O.Carm., we welcomed parents, carers, staff and students to gather in Eucharist and thanksgiving, the centre of our Catholic and Carmelite life.

Reflecting on the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), our Principal, Mr Mark Murphy, and 2026 College Captain, Joshua Lyons, invited us to consider how gentleness and compassion are lived each day in our school community. As we begin this new year, our 65th year on the hill, we are challenged to act with gentleness toward ourselves and one another.

During the Mass, we commissioned and blessed our new and continuing staff in their service of Catholic education. We also formally blessed our 2026 student leaders, called from among us to guide our community in faith, respect, gentleness, excellence and justice.

Breaking bread together, we gave thanks for leadership, service and the shared commitment to fostering a place of learning and belonging for every student.

Story courtesy of Whitefriars College (facebook.com/Whitefriars College)

More photos below