While most Year 12 students are looking forward to a well deserved break and “schoolies”, Marist College Eastwood’s Max O’Donoghue will be travelling to Rome and London for a three week immersion in the Catholic tradition and the story of the West with some 15 other students from across Sydney Catholic Schools as part of the 2024 ACU Student Leadership Program.
The program, established in 2018 in collaboration with Sydney Catholic Schools as the Australian Catholic University’s School Leavers Program, explores some of the major themes in the history of the Church and the development of the West.
The program was only open to Year 12 students who were nominated for the Archbishop’s Award for Student Excellence with part of the application process involving the preparation of a video on a text and how it relates to Religion.
When asked about why he applied for this Program Max says: “I study both Ancient and Modern History so to be able to visit some of the most historic sites in the world and continue my learning on how history has shaped the world today was an opportunity too good to miss.”
In addition to visiting historic sites, Max and fellow participants will also need to read prescribed historical texts and attend lectures and discussion groups. The students will be accompanied by teaching staff from ACU as well as other teachers.
Marist College Eastwood’s Principal, Ms Silvana Rossetti, says: “This is such an amazing and well deserved opportunity for Max. He embodies everything that a Marist College Eastwood Boy should be and sets a wonderful example to the younger students, particularly in his dedication to his studies and his commitment to his faith and leadership at the College.”
When he is not studying Max enjoys playing piano which he has done since primary school and playing guitar. Currently, Max is very focussed on preparing for the HSC and plans to study law in 2025.