Principal's Update
I recently attended the Catholic Secondary Principals’ Conference, which was led by Dr Anna Rowlands, Associate Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice and Lecturer in Contemporary Catholic Theology at Durham University in England. Over four keynotes, Dr Rowlands addressed the theme of “Catholic Social Teaching for Our Age”, exploring the purpose of a Catholic school and its place within both the mission of the Church and the life of the public square. Catholic Social Teaching covers all spheres of life – the economic, political, personal and spiritual. At its core is the dignity of the human. The aim of CST is to bring about a good and fair society, for the benefit of everyone, that is the 'common good'.
Dr Rowlands suggested that the role of Catholic schools is to teach students to be alert to context and experience of the people around them, to reflect on what they observe and learn and then to match their talents and response to the needs of the time. A recurrent theme over the two days was the importance of walking with others in mutual accompaniment and opening our hearts to ‘the other’. One of Dr Rowlands quotes in relation to accompaniment that resonated and has stayed with me since the conference is “I see you, I hear you and I am here”.
Catholic Social Teaching shapes and guides us in what we do at the College on a daily basis. The principles of Catholic Social Teaching are evident in our core values, where treating others with dignity and respect, and advocating for and walking with the most vulnerable are central to our mission.
Despite yesterday being a student free day, apart from those students who sat the GAT, there was a hive of activity in the library and science labs. Over one hundred students chose to participate in the Write a Book in a Day and Titration Stakes competitions. Students in Years 8 -11 spent the day working in teams from 8.00am until 8.00pm writing and illustrating their book for the Write a Book in a Day competition. The books will be donated to children's hospitals and all proceeds raised go to ‘The Kid’s Cancer Project’. While our authors were hard at work, keen chemistry students in Years 10, 11 and 12 were putting their titration skills to the test to determine the strength of a weak acid solution in the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Titration Stakes Competition. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and commitment to the challenge set displayed by all of the girls, both in the library and in the labs!
At the same time, a group of talented basketball players travelled to Dandenong to compete in the qualifying round of the Junior Division (Under 15) Victorian College Championships. The girls played extremely well, winning their pool and qualifying for the championship round. Congratulations and best wishes for the finals!
Well done to all students involved in these activities and thank you to the staff who gave their time to coordinate and lead these activities for the girls.
Prayer
Lord God, bring us together as one,
reconciled with you and reconciled with each other.
You made us in your likeness,
you gave us your Son Jesus Christ.
He has given us forgiveness from sin.
Lord God, bring us together as one,
different in culture, but given new life in Jesus Christ,
together as your body, your Church, your people.
Lord God, bring us together as one,
reconciled, healed, forgiven, sharing you with others as you have called us to do.
In Jesus Christ, let us be together as one.
Amen
Nicole Mangelsdorf
Principal