Catholic Identity and Mission 

Welcome 

Welcome back to the new school year. A special welcome to our new students, families and staff.   

It was wonderful to see the new Year 7s as they started their journey at Secondary school. With their big bags full of books on their backs and excited smiles showing enthusiasm and excitement.  We also welcomed back our Year 12 students for their final year of Secondary education.  It is my favourite day to be back at school, day 1.  I love being back after a break and seeing everyone looking well-rested and full of smiles and joy for a new year. 

In my third year in the role as Director of Catholic Identify and Mission, I feel very blessed and full of enthusiasm and excitement for the coming year. 

I would first like to introduce my Religious Education team for 2025:

• Mr Scott Blencowe  
• Religious Education Leader/Student Leadership/Social Justice Animator 

• Scott will work closely with our RE teachers leading Curriculum development as well as our student leaders with events and leadership activities throughout the year. 

   

• RE Teachers Year 7-12 
• Welcome back to new and returning staff to the RE team for 2025 John Ryan, Zac Cox, Mairead Johnson, Sarah Roscoe Smith, Michael McManamon, Gerard Gordon, Scott Blencowe, John Freeman, Nicole Dudman, Chris Spencer, Patrick McCarthy, Rosemary Drenen, Melinda Stephan, Carly Johnson, Christina Lomagno, Julia Leslie, Jackie Van Dillen, Hannah Collocott 

 Annual Improvement Plan  

From our Annual Improvement Plan in 2025, I specifically want to focus on reconnecting with our Josephite Charism through experiences that foster and animate our school's Catholic Identity. 

One of the first ways we will begin the year doing this is at our Liturgy in conjunction with our Achiever’s Assembly on Monday 17th February, where our focus will be on the Pope’s theme for this year Pilgrims of Hope. 

On 25th February (Student Free Day) our staff will continue their professional learning and reconnecting to the Josephite Charism.   

We will travel to Mary Mackillop Heritage Centre in the city and meet with Sr Rita Malavisi, a Josephite Sister.  We will continue the Humble Beginning Program. Based on the foundational scripture of Micah 6:6 and John 10:10.  

These four values/virtues above will be encountered through a different lens – a story from the founders; a devotion or tradition; a story from the life of a Sister; a story from scripture; a contemporary story and a song.  Our staff always look forward to learning together. 

 Our Patron Saint 

For those families new to our school, below is some information about Australia’s Patron Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop.   

Each year level will complete a mini-unit at the start of the year in RE reminding them of the story of Mary MacKillop. 

Mary Helen Mackillop was born in Melbourne on 15th January 1842. And entered eternal life in Sydney on 8th August 1909.  

Mary took the religious name "Mary of the Cross."  Mary responded to the isolation of colonial families by pioneering a new form of religious life to provide education for their children.  

She and her sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children.  

Remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity in the face of calumny, and for her abiding trust in God's providence. 

Some wonderful quotes from the Life of Saint Mary of the Cross, Mackillop, give us a taste of her spirituality and faith: 

"Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them bravely, remembering Whom you are trying to follow. Do not be afraid. Love one another, bear with one another, and let charity guide you all your life. God will reward you as only He can." 

"Find happiness in making others happy." 

"We must teach more by example than by word." 

"Remember we are all but travellers here." 

"Never see a need without doing something about it" 

"Do all you can with the means at your disposal and calmly leave the rest to God."   

Fr Paul W. Kelly said… 

Saint Mary MacKillop's life is also an example of complete trust in God's providence….   But this is not some kind of helpless waiting around and doing nothing …  but rather Saint of the Cross (MacKillop) knew that God's providence was revealed through the love and care of human beings… So, Mary became famous for her attitude (and actions) summed up in that saying. I quoted earlier: "Never see a need without doing something to help."  

Mary saw a need for education, for shelter and for support of those most in need; namely poor children, and destitute men and women... and so set up schools and shelters for people in need…. 

We can all make a difference by responding to the needs around us and believing that we can make a difference, with God's grace and providence. …. 

May Our Lord inspire us to be people of care, compassion, graciousness, and love – to respond to the setbacks and acts of malice in the world the loving way Mary Mackillop did, with compassion and perseverance, and may we also continue to be people of practical action, making a difference to those most in need. 

Our college theme chosen by our student leaders this year is: 

“Keep your mind in peace...for you have done your best.”  

Mary MacKillop – 1890 & 1898 

 Year 12 Retreat  

Our Year 12 Retreat students took part in a 3-day retreat last week run by The Passionist Retreat Team at Waratah Bay Camp.  Luke Bulley and Damien Khoury facilitated after a successful Year 11 retreat in August last year.  Our Year 12 students were fantastic. They participated full-heartedly in all the activities and used the time well to reflect on their journey ahead.  The students thoroughly enjoyed going back to their childhood from year 8 camp and going surfing in their downtime! Mason and Ethan were also lucky enough to spend their 18th birthday with all their friends on retreat! What a special treat! 

My sincere thanks to staff Mr Cade Maskell, Ms Mary Tye, Ms Cassie Raschle, Ms Sarah Roscoe Smith, Mr Zac Cox, Mrs Michelle Hackett, Mr Hamish Duckmanton and Mr Gerard Gordon who gave up their family time, especially at the start of the year with kids starting school, kinder etc.  I am very grateful for their support as always.  I am sure you would have heard some wonderful stories of their experiences already. 

JJAMM Experience 2024 – Celebrating Student Leadership

Next Friday, Mr Scott Blencowe and Ms Sarah Roscoe Smith will accompany our two school captains Patrick Wilson and Eleanor Pedlow to Sydney for the JJAMM Experience 2025 – Celebrating Student Leadership.  

This experience provides an opportunity for students from Josephite Affiliated Secondary Schools to gather. The retreat aims to provide an opportunity for our student leaders to develop a deeper understanding of the charism of our schools as inspired by Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods.   

Patrick and Eleanor are very excited and look forward to sharing with you their experiences on return. 

I look forward to working with you this year as we begin to unpack the story of Mary Mackillop who, through her life, shows us how to be true people of faith and an inspiration to the students in our care. 

Have a wonderful week.