Principal's Report

Dear Families,

The Gift of Education

Too many of us don’t think of education as a gift. Some children in countries where schools are well built and equipped, teachers on time and motivated, textbooks available, may even resent having to go to school sometimes. If only they knew that other children in different circumstances would give everything to go to school and have the chance to learn. Those students who travel to our

sister schools in Timor Leste each year experience this first hand, the thirst for education by students who know it is their lifeline for a hope filled future.

Truly, what better gift can there be but education? Here is what we know about the way in which an education can change lives from worldwide statistics:

Education reduces poverty:

- If all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty. This is equal to a 12% cut in global poverty.

Education makes people healthier:

- A child whose mother can read is 50% more likely to live past the age of 5, 50% more likely to be immunized, and twice as likely to attend school.

Education promotes gender equality:

- One additional school year can increase a woman's earnings by 10% to 20%.

Education fosters peace:

- Literate people are more likely to participate in the democratic process and exercise their civil rights.

Education saves children’s lives:

- Educating girls averted more than 30 million deaths of children under 5.

Many of you would have heard the news already regarding Father John O'Reilly's retirement on 2 August this year. Father O'Reilly's established Catholic Regional College in a model that is now known as the Federation of Colleges. This year marks 40 years since the concept was agreed upon and planning commenced to build CRC Melton. Following the College at Melton were schools at Sydenham

and North Keilor, celebrating 35 years this year. In 2007, Caroline Springs was established and joined the Federation.

O'Reilly's leaves us with one of the greatest gifts of all, education. His life's work has been living Jesus

and teaching Jesus. There is no doubt he has done just that but also a great deal more. CRC Sydenham can proudly state that there have been 20,000 graduates through the College since commencing 35 yea

rs ago. Had Father O'Reilly and the parishioners of the area not been as ardent in their commitment to provide Catholic education to the families of the west, I wonder if we would be able to claim this today. All of us are the beneficiaries of this beautiful gift, given in the name of Jesus. Given so that Catholic families could ensure that their children received a Catholic education. There will be occasion to thank Father and to celebrate all he has done for is, especially in establishing the Federation of schools at both a Primary and Secondary level. This is Father O'Reilly's legacy and his gift to us. As his retirement is announced, many are asking how we might honour his work and thank him for all he has done. Perhaps ensuring we attend Mass each week, renew involvement in Parish life is one way each of us can say thank you. So too, we commit ourselves to continuing his legacy and to continuing the work he started. May we, as a people of the Eucharist, continue to value and champion Catholic Education and to '

living and teaching Jesus' in our schools each and every day. Thank you Father O'Reilly for giving this community the gift of education, a Catholic education.

Brendan J Watson OAM

Principal