From the Principal

Dear families of Killester,

Last week our Gospel was the story of Pentecost, it is appropriate today that we take the time to reflect on the importance of this occasion and consider the messages for us in our unsettled world. The occasion of the Pentecost saw God endow the disciples with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, for me this has always encompassed hope, and indeed hope is what we sorely need at the moment. At Killester, we see hope in the students of our College. Like the messengers, often ignored in the Gospels and other readings, our young women are striving to make our world a better place. Like the disciples, they are forging brave new paths to challenge the status quo and insist we all reflect on the ways we can be better messengers of Jesus' love.  This past week I have been privileged enough to have honest discussions with students about the impact of racism, met with students heading to the Melbourne CBD for the student day of action against climate change, and heard from those who have so generously supported the St Vinnie's appeal. We are heading into another week of lockdown and the hardship this places on many families cannot be discounted, it is however a time rich with opportunity for us to acknowledge that the messages of Covid, much like those of Pentecost, are that we are called to live in a way that offers support and love to the marginalised, that we are called, like the disciples, to take the gift of God's love and hope into the world. 

Sadly this week we have not been able to continue with our participation in planned activities that would see us acknowledge and recognise Reconciliation week. At Killester we always acknowledge that our school stands on the ground of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, the traditional owners of our land. We sing a beautiful acknowledgement of this at each whole school gathering and pay our respects to traditional owners past, present and emerging. We acknowledge too the suffering our First Nations People have endured for years and commit to working toward the three key elements for reform as determined by the Uluru Statement from the Heart: Voice, Treaty and Truth. The following prayer was composed by Leila Tabak of Year 12 in honour of this week of reconciliation:

For our Nation’s humanity, we pray: 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Lord of all, Creator Spirit,  We acknowledge the pain and trauma cast upon Our peoples, and we ask for your forgiveness. 

Open up our hearts and minds so that we may understand the message You teach of a world in which the injustices and sufferings of Our people are recognised - a world in which reconciled people are free to walk alongside and share their stories with one another. 

Give us the strength and kindness to accept the truth of our shameful Stolen Generations history, so that we may restore the dignity of our First People whose rich history is unsurpassed, and work together to create a future for our country, where peace and justice reign. 

We ask You Lord, to be present within us as we lead our future in Your way. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 

Amen. 

These past two weeks have been full of activity and great learning. Our students approached their NAPLAN with appropriate care and were reminded that it is but a small snapshot of how they are travelling at the moment and a way for us to use data to help inform our teaching. The Year 9 SCIP forum and Year 8 PD Day were both wonderful events and the Year 10s received an introduction to their upcoming subject selection process through which they will be guided by our wonderful Pathways Team. 

All Year levels at the College have now received a very important presentation on issues relating to Child Safety. Your daughters were encouraged to discuss any concerns with their parents or another trusted adult. The College remains committed to Child Safe practices at all times and is actively encouraging our students to find ways to use their voices when they experience or witness any unfair treatment. 

Unfortunately the following events have had to be postponed or cancelled due to the current lockdown:

May 28: Poor Person's Mass - cancelled

May 31: Cabaret Concert - new date to be announced 

June 2: Mass for Healing - new date to be announced

We will send through updates as the week progresses and we have more information available to us in regard to setting future dates for events.

Our prayers continue for all those suffering the impact of Covid, both here and internationally. We continue to pray for the sick, those who care for the ill and those who are working so very hard to find responses to this health crisis. 

I pray all of our families stay safe over this short lockdown, the College office phones continue to be monitored so please call or email if you have any questions or concerns you wish to raise. 

Sally Buick

Principal