Living Justice 

Stand for Justice

Staff and students have been engaged in letter writing to our local Federal Member of Parliament, Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, regarding the changes to status for refugees and asylum seekers currently in community detention. Currently they are being moved onto temporary bridging visas, which allows them only three weeks to find alternative accommodation and a source of income. These people will have their small stipend taken away from them effectively forcing them into destitution and homelessness. 

We are inviting all families and concerned members of our community to join this action and write to their local member asking them to raise the issue in Federal Parliament and that a longer transition period and income support for these families and individuals. We are not opposing their move onto temporary bridging visas, just that individuals and families are given adequate time to transition out of community detention.

As a Kildare Ministries and Brigidine community, we endeavour to support the work of the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project (BASP) and stand by our values of Justice, Compassion, Hope, Hospitality, Wonder and Courage. It is through our care for the most vulnerable that we are seen to live our values and encourage our students to be people of strong faith, values and integrity. 

Please consider this action and become involved if you can.

Christmas Hampers and Support of BASP for Christmas

As you are all very aware, 2020 has been a year of enormous challenge and change. Many people in our community have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through job loss, downturn in business, changes in employment and the ongoing health issues that have come from a long lock down. With all the years' events in mind, we have made some changes to our usual St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal for 2020. 

Years 7 and 8 students will be invited to bring items in for a particular family/group to ensure that they assist in spreading Christmas joy to some of the most vulnerable in this unique year. 

Years 9 to 11 students will be asked to bring in items to be donated to BASP for Christmas and general assistance of the project. Students will be given a range of items they can bring in to donate at each year level and we ask that families support these actions as their situation allows.

Cate Jacka

Teacher