It took two years for him to build up the courage to confide in his Catholic schoolmates that he was gay.

When college rector Gerard Tully gave the green light to same-sex partners being allowed to attend the school ball this year, Mr Go said he knew attitudes had changed.

Mr Tully said it was in line with the school's philosophy that every student was valued and supported for what they were.

"We make no apologies for the fact that we're a Catholic school and the gospel is at the centre of what we're about."

He was proud of Mr Go's achievements and success in receiving a scholarship to help with his tertiary studies.

"Johann's a fantastic young man who has made a positive contribution to school life, and we're all very happy for him receiving this award," Mr Tully said.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: GABA

St Patrick's College Silverstream is the latest Wellington high school to adopt the restorative justice principles, with a no-detention approach for even the worst troublemakers.

The practice is becoming widespread in schools nationwide, with restorative measures - including encouraging naughty pupils to evaluate their behaviour - replacing traditional behaviour management methods.

While detentions, expulsions and suspensions have been typically used as forms of punishment to control pupil behaviour, restorative principles are based on the idea that a pupil needs to take responsibility for his or her actions.

St Patrick's Silverstream rector Gerard Tully said that fitted in with the school's focus on encouraging positive, respectful relationships between pupils and teachers.

Instead of being punished, a misbehaving pupil would discuss the impact of their actions with a teacher.

That could range from a two-minute chat to a formal, sit-down conference. While it would require a shift in thinking, it made more sense to prepare young people to be adults by tackling their problems, Mr Tully said.

"I used to be a real detention man: `If a student does things wrong there must be consequences.' But it's a waste of time. What do you achieve by making kids, if they've done something wrong on a Monday, come back on Friday afternoon and write out something out of a dictionary?

"It doesn't actually address the behaviour. This way, the student can think about what they've done wrong and who they've affected, and how we can resolve it in the future."

Continue reading Restorative Justice goes to school

Source

• Image The Dominion Post

He was accompanied by his whanau, a large contingent from his present school, Naenae College, and students and staff from his previous schools.

After korero and waiata, Tully and the school community exchanged pledges as part of the Rite of Welcome.

Tully is an old boy of Silverstream, having first arrived there in 1976 as a fourth former.

Prior to being named rector of St Patrick's College Silverstream, Tully taught Mathematics at St Patrick's College Wellington, Wellington College and Naenae College. He has been the rector of St Patrick's College Wellington, deputy principal at Porirua College, principal of the Challenge 2000 College, a school for troubled youth.

When rector at St Patrick's College Wellington the college enjoyed considerable success in lifting its academic, sporting and cultural performances.

Gerard Tully is married with three children, is a keen sportsman and enjoys the Theatre.

Source

• St Patrick's College Silverstream
• The Society of Mary
• Image: St Patrick's College Silverstream