Catholic Identity & Mission News
You’re never too old to learn new things! Last week I tried something I’d never done before; I participated in a ‘Day of Silence’ and didn’t speak at all between 8am and 4.15pm. Those who know me, especially my students, know how I love to talk but the Day of Silence was organised by our Cranbourne Campus Social Justice group in order to raise awareness and funds and show solidarity for those who are voiceless, or not listened to, in our world today. It was about putting our annual theme, ‘Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly’ into action.
There were nearly 100 of us who accepted the challenge to silence and while I can’t vouch for anyone else, I found it difficult, frustrating and isolating not to speak all day. But then, I suppose that is the point of putting yourself in the shoes of those who are silenced or ignored, and it reinforces how much there is to do by those of us who are privileged enough to have a voice and platforms upon which to work for change. The experience of silence was humbling and very thought provoking and those students who shared this experience with me felt the same – it was hard, but so worthwhile! A big thank you to our Social Justice Leader, Ms Cathy Michael and our Social Justice Captain, Alanah Spyrou, for coordinating this activity. I’m pretty sure we can now count on it being an annual event and I know that I for one will sign up again!
We also celebrated our Augustine House Feast Day last week and again, Augustine staff and students were able to attend morning mass at St Thomas the Apostle (CLN) and our Chapel (CRA) to start their Feast Day together in prayer and thanksgiving. Straight after these masses, Mr Tishan Lokuge and I joined our College captains in heading to a meeting with Bishop Greg Bennet in Warragul. Each November, Bishop Greg meets with the following years newly appointed College leaders. At their suggestion, he met with them again for a ‘progress check’, to see how their year of school leadership has panned out. He was keen to hear of their successes and challenges, and how they worked to make their Catholic school a ‘place of encounter’. Our leaders were able to share their achievements in continuing to promote harmony in our multi-faith and multi-cultural community. They spoke of their upcoming 4C’s (Cultivating Creative Cultures with Communities) dance concert, the Day of Silence, their ongoing presence with students from all year levels, the work of the Student Representative Council (SRC), the 100-day BBQ, College Production, St Peter’s Day and Harmony Day celebrations among so many other things.
It was terrific to see our students relaxed and confident in sharing their experience of St Peter’s College, and to see them socialising freely with other leaders from secondary schools in the Diocese of Sale. Bishop Greg really leads from the front, but there was a great sense of joy and hope in the day where successes could be acknowledged, ideas could be shared and new goals set. As the process of electing student leaders for 2025 has started, it was very encouraging to reflect on the solid groundwork upon which our new student leaders will be able to build. I thank our 2024 student leaders for the wonderful contributions they’ve made to the College this year and offer all 2025 leadership candidates my gratitude and best wishes as they engage in the leadership selection process in the coming weeks.
Ms Fiona McKenna
Deputy Principal - Catholic Identity & Mission