Compassion at Star of the Sea

Consistent Compassion at Star

Compassion is at the heart of life at Star of the Sea College. Our school motto, Facta non Verba - Deeds not Words is set within the Presentation Sisters’ charism modelled by Nano Nagle. It compels us to be people of action for those in need, for the environment, for a just world enhanced by positive social change, and propels all of our school community into everyday compassion. 

This year we have explored the theme through liturgy with the symbols of hearts and hands. We engaged in Justice Forums, supported Friday Night tutoring, and heard from international and local guest speakers who opened our minds to the realities of the world and issues that need addressing. Star has a consistently strong practical and compassionate response - seen in our major fundraising for Caritas, goods for refugees and charities such as St Kilda Mums and Saltbush to name a few. A group celebrating diversity and their inclusion within our student body has been established and provides support. Our Year 7s are building a kindness tree that aims to record random acts of everyday compassion amongst their peers and they created 60 cards to send to new school buddies in Canada. 

Our Galaxy program builds opportunities for Years 7 with 10 and Years 8 with 11 to work together for greater understanding within our community. We continue to support the sale of the Big Issue onsite and a refugee family living on the school grounds. Our staff have been challenged to become more culturally aware through a series of external speakers on indigenous issues and programs offered through the school.

In 2022 we have partnered with the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School enrolling two Indigenous students into Year 8.  We have opened our arms, our thinking and resources further to the needs of First Nations’ People and established an indigenous program, planning cultural competency for staff and students. Acknowledgement of Country has become a regular starting point, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags are visible and compassion is tangible in the team approach taken to care for the students and for the non indigenous as they grow in their understanding. Reconciliation week led to significant learning and the newly partnered NT community school at Nyrippi benefited from significant stationery donations.

Compassion relies on selfless consideration of another and intentional action to positively change their experience. It has empathy, kindness and generosity at its heart. This is evident in key school leaders but also right throughout the school community in our care for new students, for the Ukrainian refugees, for the lonely student or the new staff member struggling to belong.