Faith and Mission

I would like to just acknowledge a student at Killester in the Year 12 VCAL class. Ella Pollard has put together 20 packs for the homeless from her own initiative. She prepared ten for men and ten for women with essentials such as a blanket, sox, food packs and containers. Ella received donations from staff and friends as well as donating herself. These packs were put together with her family’s help and she is donating them to Joey’s Van in Springvale which provides food and relief for those struggling in the Dandenong area. I interviewed her to shed light on her motivation and amongst her thoughts were the influence of the school’s Justice and Democracy Group as well as the school motto of “Strength and Kindliness.” Her thoughtfulness, generosity and care are incredibly impressive. Congratulations Ella on a wonderful effort.

Aldo Balducci is our Information technology leader and he came to me near the end of last term and mentioned that his mother had a large amount of food that was to be used for her Social Club in Clayton South. Because no functions can go ahead she wanted to put them to good use. We were able to contact her and collect them, donating all the proceeds to the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project in Albert Park. You would be aware that the Brigidines support a large number of asylum seekers and people in detention. They were extremely short on supplies and were most grateful for this magnificent donation. Thank you so much to Aldo and his mother, Sandy Balducci, and the great generosity of the Valguanera Italian Social Club. You are marvels.

As we commence Term 4 I again reflect on the resilience of our Year 12 cohort. I asked them recently in an RE class how they felt about being in their last three weeks of school.

Here were some of their responses:

• Excited to be free after exams, intimidating that we are so close to going into the real world, Scary and surreal it’s coming to an end, excited, I can't wait for Uni
• Daunting, yikes!       I’ll miss my teachers and friends   
• There is too little time to spend the last few days at school with friends
• Can't wait for three months of freedom, exams! Everything is happening so fast.

There is such a range of feelings and we hope that these wonderful people can get the send off they deserve. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks. We wish you a peaceful break to all and hope that you can all get some rest.  Remember, “With God all things are possible.” 

Peter O’Neill

AP Faith and Mission