The Responsibility of Freedom

This week began with a reverent Remembrance Day service, focused on reflection, gratitude, and the value of freedom. The service encourages our community to honour those who have shaped our lives by reflecting on pivotal moments and sacrifices of the past. By fostering this connection, it invites participants to consider their responsibilities to themselves, others, and society. It reminds us that freedom, while cherished, carries a deep responsibility—a concept woven into the lives of those who sacrificed for it.

In school, as in many homes, young people often eagerly embrace the freedoms that each year brings: a higher-rated movie, less parental supervision, digital privileges, a first job, or later curfews. However, these freedoms aren't simply licenses to do whatever one wishes. True freedom involves making thoughtful choices, weighing possibilities, and acting responsibly. The freedoms we have today—including those fought for by servicemen and women of our past—demand a commitment to act in ways that are good for oneself and others. To be genuinely free means to be able to consistently choose what is good.

At CBC Fremantle, we strive to provide all students with this kind of freedom. We aim to free them from internal obstacles, like fear, anxiety, and mental health challenges, so they can make empowered choices. We also support them in facing external pressures, such as peer influence, unkind words, and unrealistic social media expectations, so they can make decisions that reflect their true selves.

This week, the College also celebrated the Homecoming Ceremony, the culmination of the Rite Journey Program. Much like Remembrance Day, this ceremony is grounded in reflection, gratitude, and an understanding of freedom. During the ceremony, students reflect on their personal growth, acknowledging the challenges they've faced and the support they've received from family, mentors, and peers. As they ceremonially return to their parents, they mark the completion of a rite of passage—from childhood to young adulthood. This journey helps them grasp the deeper meaning of freedom and the courage required to choose the right path.

Lars Svendsen, a modern Norwegian philosopher, captures this idea well: "The concept of freedom is linked closely to the ideas of responsibility and autonomy. Freedom implies having personal responsibility… I am responsible for me, for what I choose to do…and for the type of person I want to become." We hope that every student's time at CBC Fremantle fosters this understanding, equipping them with freedom, and empowering them to grow into the person they aspire to be beyond the College.

Ms Emer Hickey
Deputy Principal Mission & Students