Mission & Catholic Identity News
Parents and Friends - have a big job to play
On Wednesday evening at our Parent and Friends meeting, I had the opportunity to be Chris Black, our Principal, while he was in Sydney.
I have been involved at Parents and Friends meetings before as a senior leader in a school or as a parent myself. It is one of the more positive and vibrant meetings you can attend, as the people attending have a want to be there. And have a want to play an integral role in the identity and mission of the school.
As said, Parents and Friends associations are an integral part of a Catholic school as a valuable instrument in the important partnership in education. They help to promote the mission of St Peter’s College and they foster a true spirit of community.
Canon Law 796, lays the foundation for the relationship between parents and friends and the Catholic school, it states –
‘Among the means of advancing education, Christ’s faithful are to consider schools as of great importance, since they are the principal means of helping parents to fulfil their role in education. There must be the closest cooperation between parents and the teachers to whom they entrust their children to be educated. In fulfilling their task, teachers are to collaborate closely with the parents and willingly listen to them; associations and meetings of parents are to be set up and held in high esteem’.
Therefore, the P&F is vital for:
- Fostering a distinctive Catholic environment at St. Peter’s College.
- Developing co-operation between parents and school staff.
- Utilising structures which are established to promote the principles of Catholic education.
- Providing a vehicle for information sharing and participation of parents, in a spirit of collaboration and common purpose.
- Identifying gifts and talents within the parent community and making them available to meet the mission and identity needs of St. Peter’s College.
Contact the College if you would be interested with getting involved in the P&F association or check our calendar for dates of upcoming meetings.
Call for Community members to be involved in a great initiative.
St. Peter’s College is currently in the process of researching the feasibility of running the Clemente Program, an innovative university-level program for Australians experiencing multiple disadvantage and social isolation. The Clemente Program was introduced to Australia in 2003 by the Australian Catholic University (ACU). It would be after schools hours with past students and current St Peter’s College families as the targeted students.
More than 800 Australians have enrolled in a Clemente Australia program and many who have completed the program with a Certificate of Liberal Arts have continued to further education, employment and community participation. The achievement of studying at a university level has transformed the lives of many of those who are marginalised, for whatever reason, on the edge of society.
If you have experiences or skill sets, that could complement this program, in a lecturing or organisation role – please email mwilliams@stpeters.vic.edu.au for details.
St Oscar Romero
On March 21st, we celebrate Romero day at St. Peter’s College. Romero Houses at both Cranbourne and Clyde North campuses will have a Mass celebrated by our local parish priests.
Romero is a favourite of mine. I used to teach Religion and Society 3 & 4. We used look at the life and times of Oscar Romero. I remember the students got him. I got him. The way that Romero went into the villages and talked to the people. The way he shook hands with all people. He had presence. They say he listened more than he preached. But when he spoke, people listened such as when he spoke out against the injustices that could be found in El Salvador at the time.
There are many take away lessons from the life of St Oscar Romero that will be heard by students and staff on March 21st at St Peter’s College. It is a pity that the legacy of St Oscar Romero, cannot be heard by a few more in our society.
St. Peter’s College PROJECT COMPASSION page
Just a reminder if you would like to donate to our St Peter’s College effort for Caritas Project Compassion during Lent -
https://lent.caritas.org.au/matthewwilliams#blank
Matthew Williams
Deputy Principal: Mission & Catholic Identity