Faith and Mission

Congratulations to the students who attended the Building Bridges Program this year. This involved  Interfaith Dialogue between six schools including Jewish, Islamic and other Catholic schools in our region. On Tuesday 13th September we went to our final Presentation night where we heard from guest speakers including students, parents and facilitators. We were given a certificate to honour our participants. The week prior, many went on a Community Service Day and experienced an indigenous leader guiding them through the bush and exploring their land and story.

I have included the speech made by Gurnika Singh of year eleven on the night. Also included is a group photo and photos from the evening. Thank you to Ruth Sandy and Wellsprings in Ashburton for this wonderful opportunity.

This week we also had a former student, Danielle Chisholm, come to speak to our Year 12 RE class about “strength and kindliness,” our school motto and how she has lived this out in her life. Danielle was at Killester in 1991/1992 and went back to Darwin with her family. She recently appeared on an SBS show “Every Family has a Secret”  where the producers tried to trace her ancestry back to the Royal family. The story is an amazing journey of courage for her mother who was part of the stolen generation. If you would like to view this it is on SBS, Season 3 Episode 3.  Students provided many questions and responses to her talk and the show.

Thanks to Danielle, our alumni for her inspiration and time.

Peter O’Neill

AP Faith and Mission

Evening Everyone,

Just a quick little introduction, I am Gurnika Singh and I am currently a Year 11 student at Killester College. I had the privilege of participating in the Building Bridges program this year, and a bit of last year due to COVID.

The experience itself for me was enlightening and overall so much fun. Being a Sikh attending a Catholic college, I found it most beneficial to take part in this program and gain a deeper understanding of the different faiths that are in our society. 

For me the most insightful and inspiring experience would have to be the Community Day. 

Having been so accustomed to hearing from religions from the outside, it was great to go back and be introduced to the oldest faith in our Nation. Having grown up in this country, yet still being so oblivious to the sense of spirituality that had been ingrained in our golden soil for thousands of years. 

Going on a bushwalk with our Indigenous Leader, it opened our eyes to how much is provided to us by nature.We didn't realise we were walking through their local Woolies, and Coles. They emphasised how nature is the main sustenance of life, and how much they value each leaf, bush and tree. 

One moment I will never forget is, when our Indigenous Leader had us walk next to this tree that radiated this fragrance of peppermint and eucalyptus. He mentioned how the leaves of this tree are great stress and anxiety relievers. As you all know VCE can be a stressful and demanding period for students. When I tell you, I have never seen a tree cleared out so fast. Left and right students shoving these leaves into their bags, in preparation for the future stresses that are to come.looked like a clothes rack on boxing day. 

I am guilty of being a part of this. On the community day we were able to take a step back from our busy lives, and really take in how much more there is to our lives than just silly old notifications and social media. 

As well as having the privilege of being acquainted with such an amazing group of young people. Each and every individual that participated was so kind, welcoming, and accepting; something much of the world struggles with. Surrounding the negative stigma that certain groups of people face in our world, it is truly inspiring and promising to see so many young people take part in this program. 

Breaking down barriers and building bridges between communities. 

Thankyou

Gurnika Singh

Year 11

Building bridges was an eye opening experience for our Killester girls. We made our journey through learning the similarities and differences within the religions of King David (Jewish), Mazenod, Kilbreda, Nazareth and Mt Hira (Muslim). We split into our groups and mingled to create not only friendships but strong bonds with the other girls and boys in the group. 

Listening and communicating was a key asset when coming together in a group and discussing the questions that were being asked. Building bridges was a real eye opener after covid and it felt like it was a blessing in disguise as it allowed us to come together which we weren't able to do during covid-19.

I want to thank Mr O’Neill for organising this wonderful event and the teachers that also helped to run this program. I would highly recommend this program to the students of 2023 Year 10 or 11. 

Sienna Wilson

Trelene Luecke

Year 11 Teacher