Identity
An awareness of our real values and purpose
The concept of “Identity” is one that our school has fostered to encompass, contextualize and represent Terrace’s approach to our mission, ministry, faith, the personal formation of our students and their concept of self and purpose.
At Terrace, we strive to develop a strong sense of identity in our individual young men and collectively, among the wider Terrace Family. Identity captures the idea of awareness and understanding – of personal worth and value. A sense of Identity provides a source of confidence that we can all make a difference, in the spirit of Edmund Rice and provides a strong platform for the engagement of our community, in our collective action and in terms of what our community represents.
Understanding and living our own identity is of great importance to Terrace’s leadership in the community and in terms of putting our faith into action. The word, Identity was chosen by us, to represent the Terrace approach. It is our interpretation – the Terrace interpretation – of the directive of Edmund Rice Education Australia, to “form and engage” our community behind a Catholic school ethos in the tradition of Edmund Rice. Consequently, we have a Dean of Identity, a member of the College Leadership Team, who directs our action towards the following principles:
- Identity is enhanced through Formation
- Identity is enhanced through Spirituality
- Identity is enhanced through Holistic Education and Reflection Practice
- Identity is Enhanced through Education for Justice and Peace
- Identity is Enhanced through Relationships
(See the Dean of Identity page for further information of these principles).
The concept of Identity instructs the development and implementation of a coordinated Formation Program for all members of our College community.
Terrace prides itself on its Pastoral Care structures and practice and in particular the House System which has been extremely successful in providing support, promoting belonging and our goals towards identity.
The Dean of Students, also a member of the College Leadership Team, plays an important role in overseeing our pastoral care systems, the House System and Student Formation, maintaining direct engagement with the student body.
Leadership is an outcome of Identity, and Gregory Terrace is and strives to remain a leader in the wider community. Student Leadership plays a central role in the effectiveness of our College’s role in the community and the maintenance of the values, culture and spirit of Gregory Terrace.
Our Campus Ministry is of great significance to our College and reflects and shapes our Identity. As part of our Ministry, reflective practice, holistic education, a real sense of faith and spirituality, authentic expression, stewardship and solidarity with the poor gives integrity to our Identity and provides our students with involvement in God’s vision for a movement beyond charity to justice, peace and compassion.
Formal and informal prayer and liturgy, ritual, symbol, and other forms of creative and artistic expression give witness to the distinct Mission of the school and helps build the community’s Identity as a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition.
Our Ministry and concept of Identity is strongly supported by our unique Retreat Program and Peer Ministry program, which have added an extra meaningful and influential element to the Terrace education and Identity – through providing our students with opportunities for reflection and growth, better understanding of self, as well as providing a challenge to our students to put their faith into action through Service Ministries and Service Learning.
