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Meet BCHS Principal Dr. John Atha
Dr. Atha began his career in education as a math teacher in Hamilton Southeastern Schools in 1988. He taught and served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the Twin Lakes and Noblesville school corporations prior to becoming Noblesville Schools' director of curriculum and instruction in 2004 and the assistant superintendent in 2005.
Dr. Atha earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Joseph's College in 1987 and his master's in education (1998), specialist in education (2003), and doctorate in education (2009) from Ball State University. He and his wife, Mary, have six children and are members of Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Westfield, Ind.
Principal's Weekly Note
February 3, 2012
Dear Bishop Chatard Parents:
We are finishing a great week of celebrating Catholic Schools. This past Wednesday I was very
fortunate to attend Mass at the SS Peter & Paul Cathedral with five of our students. This Mass allowed
us to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with students from every school in the Archdiocese as well as
many pastors from our parishes. It was a beautiful Mass with a lot of energy.
During his homily, Bishop Coyne talked about the blessing and importance of Catholic schools, and he
asked us two important questions that we should be able to answer as people who are a part of Catholic
schools. The first question was, "What makes a school Catholic?" Bishop Coyne explained that a school
is not Catholic just because of prayer, crucifixes, Masses, and religion classes. He said that a school is
Catholic in its commitment to educate the whole child. For most people, school is about educating the
mind, but in a Catholic school we focus on each individual child and on educating every student's mind,
body, and spirit.
Then he asked the second, more important question, "Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?"
Bishop Coyne went on to clarify that if you do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, then nothing else
matters much because the Gospel is just a story with no meaning or truth. However, if you do truly
believe that Jesus is the Son of God, then the message of the Gospel has context and all learning should
come through the truth of Jesus the Christ!
As the Bishop finished his homily, he told us that he is often asked how to go about creating and
building a truly Catholic school. His answer very simply is, "One brick at a time.. .You do it one brick
at a time by showing each person you meet the love and compassion of Christ."
As I drove back to Bishop Chatard High School and reflected on the Bishop's words, I thought about
how we are doing in our commitment to provide a Catholic education for our students. I smiled as I
recalled the times I have witnessed our faculty and students laying those bricks of 'love and
compassion' over the past couple of years and how grateful I am to be a part of this truly Catholic
school!
Have a SUPER weekend!
Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us!
Dr. John F. Atha, Principal
Thought for the week:
"Like the mission and message of Jesus Christ, the Church's educational mission
is universal - for all men, at all times, in all places. In our world and in our nation, the mission of Christian
education is of critical importance. The truth of Jesus Christ must be taught; the love of Jesus Christ must
be extended to persons who seek and suffer." - To Teach as Jesus Did
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