From the Principal Leader

Dear students, staff, parents, carers, and friends of Chisholm,

Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones: Intentionally Animating Christ in Our Community

One of the great privileges of working in Catholic education is the opportunity to continually deepen our understanding of who we are, why we exist, and how we are called to serve others. Recently, our staff gathered for a Formation Day centred on the theme "Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones", an opportunity to reflect on our collective mission as a faith-filled learning community and to strengthen our commitment to intentionally animating Christ in all that we do.

Throughout the day, staff explored the concept of the "upside-down Kingdom" of Jesus—a Kingdom where service is valued over status, compassion over power, and humility over recognition. In a world that often measures success through achievement and influence, Christ calls us to something different: to lead through service, to place others before ourselves, and to recognise the inherent dignity of every person.

This understanding was further enriched through reflection on the concepts of Agape and Imago Dei. Agape, the selfless and unconditional love demonstrated by Christ, challenges us to build authentic relationships grounded in care, compassion and generosity. Imago Dei reminds us that every individual is created in the image and likeness of God, deserving of respect, dignity and belonging.

These principles are not simply theological concepts; they sit at the heart of our College's approach to teaching, learning and wellbeing. They influence how we accompany our students in their learning journeys, how we nurture their wellbeing, and how we create an environment where each young woman is known, valued and empowered to flourish. They call us to see beyond academic achievement alone and to focus on the formation of courageous, compassionate and faith-filled young women who are prepared to make a positive difference in the world.

The theme of transforming stumbling blocks into stepping stones also resonated deeply with the stories of our patron, Caroline Chisholm, and Mary MacKillop. Both women encountered significant obstacles and challenges throughout their lives, yet neither allowed these difficulties to define or deter them. Instead, they transformed adversity into opportunities for service, advocacy and hope.

As a Caroline Chisholm community, we are called to embody these same values. We are challenged to see obstacles not as barriers, but as opportunities for growth, learning and transformation. We are called to intentionally animate Christ through our words, actions and relationships, ensuring that our faith is not something we simply speak about, but something we actively live.

I extend my sincere gratitude to all staff for their engagement, courage and openness throughout our Formation Day. Their commitment to ongoing formation strengthens our collective capacity to provide a truly Catholic education, one that nurtures both the minds and hearts of our students.

As we continue our journey together, may we remain inspired by the examples of Caroline Chisholm and Mary MacKillop, embracing every challenge as an opportunity to grow in faith, service and love, and transforming each stumbling block into a stepping stone towards becoming the community God calls us to be.

Mrs Julie Petrovski

Acting Principal Leader