Identity and Mission

Looking at his disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”

— Luke 6:20-21

It has been a busy and rewarding time for our staff and students in the area of Mission and Identity. Late last term, we held our now-annual Winter Sleepout, to build understanding and empathy for those who are homeless and marginalised in our community. The brave students who undertook the experience were addressed by Stephanie from Bethlehem House and Simon from Vinnies, ate a simple meal supplied by Loui’s Van and then settled down for a night in 2 degree conditions outside the Dance Studio with cardboard to sleep on. It was obviously an uncomfortable night which gave us just a small taste of what others have to suffer through on a regular basis.

During the holidays, Year 10 students Jenna Stacey, Mia Scanlon and Sarah Wilson-Haffendon, along with Old Scholar Kimberley Peebles, volunteered their time with Edmund Rice Camps, helping out children who don’t have the opportunities offered to others. They spent an action-packed and exhausting week acting as mentors to the kids and, in doing so, discovered much about themselves.

The first day of this term saw our Staff participate in a Community Service day, in which they spread around Hobart and volunteered for different organisations who assist the poor and marginalised, or who do their best to protect the land. Schools were painted, rubbish removed, the lonely visited, a new Vinnies store set up and food packed for the hungry. The day was completed with a debrief, in which staff were asked to reflect on their experience and connect it to the call to the margins that the Sisters of Charity answered, and continue to answer.

And finally, a group of Year 10 students participated in National Tree Day activities, rehabilitating a piece of land in Lamberts Gully and planting over 100 native trees and shrubs. It is hoped that this land will become an area that Mount Carmel College can look after for years to come, protecting one of the oldest examples of native bushland this close to the city.

Thank you to all who have been involved in these projects, and to all the organisations that have kindly offered to assist.

Mr Anthony Chapman

Director of Identity and Mission