Religious Education 

Dear Parents and Carers

I've recently returned from an incredible holiday with my family, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have had the experience.   Sharing precious moments with your family and creating life-long memories gives us time to reflect on how lucky we are to live in a country and work within a system that allows us to take holidays (long service leave), and this shouldn't be taken for granted.   Some people don't have this.   Some countries don't allow it.   It's important to take the time (if you can) to create memories with the ones you love, no matter how big or small the experience.   

Whilst away, I also had time to reflect on how lucky I am to work within a community that promotes strong catholic values.  Values that strongly align with my own beliefs and ideals.  Like going on a family holiday, belonging to a catholic school community is a gift that shouldn't be taken for granted.   Whilst we're not perfect, we're always striving to be better.  We have a great school, one I'm proud to work at and belong to.  St Luke's provides opportunities for students to be open to dialogue, have an opinion and strive to be their best, great ideals for any school.

Mr Keenan and I recently attended a professional development day to help  unpack our ECSI data.  ECSI ~ Enhancing Catholic School Identity data gives a 'pulse' reading of how we are traveling as a Catholic School.   Earlier this year the staff, parents and students had the opportunity to complete the ECSI survey and from our results we have found we are comparable to other catholic schools in our diocese and, in many areas, at the 'higher' end of what we want to be as a Catholic School.  

So what makes a good Catholic School?  From our results we can conclude St Luke's blends academic excellence with a strong foundation in faith, character, and community. Here are some key qualities that make St Luke's a great catholic school.  

1. Faith-Centered Environment

• Daily prayer and liturgy: Opportunities for spiritual growth through Mass, prayer, and religious celebrations.
• Integration of Catholic values: Gospel teachings are woven into all aspects of school life.
• Catholic Social Teaching: Catholic Social Teaching helps guide us to live in ways that are kind, fair, and respectful of others, following the teachings of Jesus. Some of its most important ideas are the common good, peace, and caring for those in need.

• Service and mission: Students are encouraged to serve others, fostering compassion and social responsibility.

   

2. Academic Excellence

• Strong curriculum: Rigorous and well-rounded education that prepares students for future success.
• Dedicated teachers: Educators who are not only qualified but also passionate about their faith and teachi

• Support for diverse learners: Programs that cater to different learning styles and needs.

   

3. Character Formation

• Emphasis on virtues: Respect, integrity, humility, and kindness are actively taught and modeled.

   

  4. Principles of common good, peace and caring

  * The principle of the common good reminds us to make choices that help everyone in our school and community, not just ourselves. 

   * The principle of peace teaches us to solve problems calmly, treat others fairly, and get along with one another. 

  * The principle of caring for those in need encourages us to help people who are struggling, showing kindness and inclusion. 

   

  Together, these principles help students learn to be respectful, compassionate, and responsible in our school and beyond.

   

  As mentioned, we are fortunate to be part of an inclusive and welcoming school community built on the hallmarks and qualities of what makes a good catholic school.    I hope others feel the same.   

  Congratulations to our Sacramental Students

  Congratulations to our students who made their sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist last fortnight.  Congratulations also to those who were Baptised in the Catholic Faith on the same weekend.  Our students enjoyed a celebration mass and party on Wednesday. Thank you to all families for supporting your children through their Sacramental journey over the past 12 months.   

Farewell Fr Joe!!

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A FAREWELL TO FR JOE AT AN ASSEMBLY ON THURSDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER.  All welcome.

Fr Joe's final Mass will be held on Sunday 28th September, 11am Mass.

St Luke's FIRE Carriers Commissioning ~ Friday 29th August, 12:30pm

Our newly elected FIRE carriers were commissioned today, Friday, 29th August.   It was a wonderful celebration and we are grateful for the support of our diocese indigenous leaders, Michael Chisholm, Neil Cooper and Billy Cooper ,for the smoking ceremony, welcome to country and commissioning.  

Congratulations to our newly commissioned FIRE Carriers

Project Compassion Congratulations!!

2025 Diocesean and School Theme 

Pilgrims of Hope ~ Andrew Chinn

Best wishes for the remaining weeks of the school term.

Chris Summers

Deputy Principal ~ Catholic Identity & Wellbeing Leader 

St Brendan's Parish Bulletin 31.08.25