Refugee Week

This is Refugee Week, Australia’s peak annual activity to inform the public about refugees and celebrate positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. It has been a national event since 1988 and provides a platform where positive images of refugees can be promoted in order to create a culture of welcome throughout the country. The ultimate aim of the celebration is to create better understanding between different communities and to encourage successful integration enabling refugees to live in safety and to continue making a valuable contribution to Australia.

The 2021 Theme for Refugee Week is Unity – the way forward and the volatility of life in recent times has shown unequivocally that we need to work together often merely to survive, let alone to thrive and progress. In this spirit we pray:

Lord, no one is a stranger to you

And no one is ever far from your loving care

In your kindness watch over refugees and asylum seekers,

Those who are separated from their loved ones, those who are lost

And those who have been exiled from their homes.

Bring them safely to the place that they long to be,

And help us to always show your kindness to strangers and those in need. Amen.

Visit to the College by Bishop Mark Edwards

Last Friday we welcomed our Bishop to the College. He addressed students in all year groups and shared something of his own life journey and his role as a Bishop in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga. Bishop Mark, who has been a Secondary Maths teacher also taught a Year 11 Maths class and visited classes around the College where he discussed their learning with the students.

The staff also shared morning tea with the Bishop and there was an opportunity for him to talk with members of the Faith and Mission Team and College Leadership.

Our College community was very grateful to have Bishop Mark with us for almost the full day and enjoyed his visit immensely.

Announcement of New Director of Catholic Education

Last week Bishop Mark Edwards announced the appointment of Dr Andrew Watson as the new Director, to commence in January 2022. The announcement may be accessed below. We look forward to welcoming Dr Watson to Mater Dei next year.

Student Leadership

After their Reflection Day on Monday, Year 11 gathered on Tuesday morning to engage in a Leadership Program, which provided both an opportunity for each student to consider the qualities of leadership and to reflect upon the reality that they will be student leaders at Mater Dei in a little over a term. Leadership is hard to define, but effective leadership is easy to see! Leading is not the same as Managing. Events and activities are managed but people are led. Therefore, leadership is about relationships, about empowering others, about developing the team and being able to say together “We did it!”

As part of my time with Year 11 on Tuesday morning, I shared the following thoughts about Servant Leadership, which underpins our Catholic culture:

A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the one at the “top of the pyramid”, harnessing and using all the power themselves, servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible. Servant leadership is actually an ancient approach advocated by leaders of the world’s great religions like Jesus, Gandhi, Buddha, and the Dalai Lama. They all offer us a common message, that we are called to serve others and that service is a path that connects us to Spirit and empowers us.

When people are open to God, they receive guidance, hope, power, and love to accomplish our divine servant leader mission. They can have a sense of joy and peace regardless of outcomes because they experience grace so that success does not matter all that much. But success often does result.

I reminded Year 11 students of the expectation that they serve as an example of the Vision of the College. Our Vision aspires for the College to be a nurturing community which:

is founded in Catholic faith, justice and love
is inclusive
is learner centred and,
seeks excellence and wisdom.

I also reaffirmed the expectation that they serve as an example of the Mission of the College. That Mission is to:

care for each individual, affirming their dignity and uniqueness
foster right relationships with God, creation, self and others
provide particular attention to those most in need; and,
build a welcoming, safe and supportive school environment.

We took some time to consider how a servant leader responds to challenges so that individuals and groups are empowered and built up and relationships strengthened.

After sharing some thoughts about leadership I asked students to determine which of the following quotes would be reflect their understanding of what it means to be a student leader at Mater Dei Catholic College in 2022:

The easy part of leadership is to use one’s gifts for the betterment of oneself. The hard part of leadership is to use one’s gifts for the betterment of others.
The easy part of leadership is to be popular. The hard part of leadership is to be unpopular.
The easy part of leadership is to wear the badge. The hard part of leadership is to deserve the badge.
The easy part of leadership is to do what is popular. The hard part of leadership is to do what is right.
The easy part of leadership is to deal with policy. The hard part of leadership is to deal with people.
The easy part of leadership is to enjoy its success. The hard part of leadership is to endure its failure.
The easy part of leadership is to follow consensus. The hard part of leadership is to follow conviction.
The easy part of leadership is conservation. The hard part of leadership is innovation.
The easy part of leadership is to cope with the friends. The hard part of leadership is to cope with the enemies.
The easy part of leadership is to judge others. The hard part of leadership is to judge yourself.

The statement that most resonated with the Year Group was:

The easy part of leadership is to wear the badge. The hard part of leadership is to deserve the badge.

The Leadership Program launched the process that will culminate in the appointment of our Student Leaders in 2022 next term. As our Year 11 students reflect upon the contribution that they are called to make to our College community, we pray:

Lord God, you call us to life in all its fullness,

following the path set out by Jesus your Son.

As we reflect on his leadership as Servant,

we ask you to deepen our desire to imitate his example.

May we use the gifts you have given us as a faithful

reflection of his presence at work in our lives.

We make this prayer to you through Christ, our Lord.

Amen

NAIDOC Week

We remain committed to celebrating the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. As NAIDOC Week falls during the holidays, it will be celebrated on 13 August at Mater Dei.

Prayers Please

For Year 10 students who are about to commence their subject selection processes for the two year HSC Course in 2022.
For Year 11 who took part in their Reflection Day on Monday and Leadership Launch on Tuesday morning.
For Year 12 as they prepare for their Trial HSC Examinations early next term
For all our staff, students and their families – may they have a relaxing and renewing holiday break and return safely for Semester 2 on Monday, 12 July.

Best wishes,

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 10 · 25 Jun 2021

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