Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

The College calendar saw a convergence of Catholic Education, Reconciliation and Diversity weeks recently, with each one providing a wonderful focus for the whole school.  Catholic Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate and enhance the reality of this identity, to dialogue with the Catholic faith tradition and the world in which we live, to interpret and proclaim the good news.

National Reconciliation Week (27/05/2022 to 3/06/2022) celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. Monivae and St Mary’s students came together in a Reconciliation Liturgy to acknowledge and celebrate our First Nations people.

Diversity Week celebrates our commitment to creating an inclusive and connected school community. Monivae’s Vision statement deliberately aspires to be a heart-centered community welcoming to all.

Vision 

Monivae College is a Catholic secondary co-educational day and boarding school welcoming to everyone. Inspired by the vision of Jules Chevalier and spirituality of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart students are at the heart of all we do. We nurture each child’s potential through developing personal and physical growth, resilience, empathy, academic achievement and spirituality. 

I was privileged to attend the DOBCEL Leadership Dinner last Friday in the Damascus College Events Centre.  All schools in the Diocese come together to recognise and celebrate the achievements of staff who have 30 Years of Service to Catholic Education. Being recognised for 30 years’ service from Monivae was Mrs Sofia Vearing. Mrs Vearing continues to provide great service to Monivae and its students in her current role of Senior School Coordinator.

In the last two years MOCA has been unable to provide opportunities for Alumni to meet. As restrictions ease, Monivae Development office and Foundation are prioritizing a return to these gatherings as well as other exciting initiatives. One of our new initiatives was the inaugural Club 50 lunch held recently with approximately 70 past students attending. Alan Myers was the guest speaker and was extremely entertaining as he reminisced about past teachers and events over their time at Monivae.

Our College, is certainly feeling the effects of COVID-19 and the beginning of Influenza on our students and staff. Our ability to cover classes is tight, and we continue to do our best to provide onsite learning each day to all students. As a school, we have deliberately focused on providing the rich experiences that were missing in the previous years. It is becoming more challenging to do this and whilst not to alarm, there may be further occurrences that necessitate the need to move to a different approach.  We will provide as much notice and advance communication as possible in the event that changes occurs.

Prayer for Reconciliation

Almighty and loving God,

you who created ALL people in your image.

Lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past.

You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again

so that sins will be forgiven.

We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession

of land, language, lore, culture, and family kinship that

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced.

We live in faith that all people will rise

from the depths of despair and hopelessness.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones,

through the separation of children from their families.

We are sorry and ask God's forgiveness.

Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless, and inflicted and heal their spirits.

In your mercy and compassion walk with us

as we continue our journey of healing

to create a future that is just and equitable.

Lord, you are our hope.

Amen.

Kind regards,

Jonathan Rowe

Principal