Principal News
HOPE
Hope calls us to look deeper, to discover the sacred moments of our lives, those times when we have come to discover something of God’s presence and purpose in the events, the people we have met, in those things or people or places that have nourished our spirits. Hope helps us to look deeper and deeper into what it means to talk about life as sacred. Hope reminds us that God still loves our world, God is still with us.
In the words of Pope Francis: I have a dogmatic certainty: God is in every person's life. God is in everyone's life. Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else - God is in this person's life. You can - you must - try to seek God in every human life. Hope looks to the future.
St Augustine defined hope in this way: “Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” Hope lies in the ‘fires’ we cultivate within. It is not by coincidence that the Holy Spirit came to us at Pentecost in the form of fire! What makes us disappointed about our world, about its injustices, at the way things are rather than how they ought to be? What fires us up – what calls us to courageous action, to commitment? Hope is about being transformed into the person we were meant to become. Hope can change our lives, not by one, great miraculous event but rather in the series of small actions and decisions that transform us daily – that lead us beyond ourselves. Hope is putting one foot in front of the other when we may feel out of our depth, when we feel we lack courage but we know that ‘something needs to be done’! Hope reminds us that God companions us as we go. We are never alone, never abandoned. God in Jesus has given us in this unfinished world a glimpse of what might be and walks with us, giving us possibility, giving us hope.
An extract from Jim Quillinan’s book: Along The Track
Dear Parents, Students and Friends
On behalf of the staff, I wish all our students a well deserved holiday break. It has been apparent throughout the 11 weeks that students have returned to school with a positive outlook and have been diligent in maintaining high personal standards of learning and interaction with each other and the level of engagement in the classrooms has been high. I thank everyone for their effort in this way as ultimately this application to being the best we can on a daily basis creates a positive learning environment that ensures success, no matter what goals we are striving for, short and long term. I have every confidence that this “growth mindset” will pervade throughout the coming terms.
My thanks to the large numbers of parents and students who made appointments for the Parents/Student/Teacher Meetings last night. Feedback has been very positive, which reflects my earlier comments about the application of students (and staff) to the learning throughout this term.
Early Notice-ANZAC Day
Early Notice-ANZAC Day I look forward to joining as many students and staff as possible for the annual ANZAC Day March on Monday 25 April. Students are asked to be in full winter uniform and assemble in front of the Gemini Hotel. The march commences at approximately 10.15am.
The College will be holding our own ANZAC Assembly, organized by the HSIE Department on Thursday 3rd May at approximately 10.30. This year, our Marian Catholic College students who are part of the 340 Squadron, Griffith Australian Air Force Cadets will participate in the catapult party. The 340 Squadron will be permanently moving to Marian Catholic College from the start of next term. They will be using some of our facilities each Monday evening for their activities. On behalf of the College community I welcome the cadet unit to Marian and look forward to working with them over the coming years.
Term 2 commences on Monday 30 April.
Term 2 commences on Monday 30 April. Terms two and three students are to wear winter uniform. The first week back will be a changeover week for uniforms as we are unsure of what the weather will be like. All students will be expected to be in full winter uniform from the commencement of the second week of the term.
College Counsellor
Congratulations to Rowena Gilbey who will start working with us at the beginning of next term. Rowena has extensive experience as a counsellor with her most recent work being employed at Headspace, specializing in Youth Mental Health.
College congratulates Mrs Belinda Aventi on being awarded her Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Mathematics education.
We would like to wish Health Neville and Simone Crossley for their wedding during the holidays.
Peace and Best wishes
Alan Le Brocque
Principal