Catholic Identity & Mission News

Divine Kids will be hosting a Retreat on the 'Eucharist' for children and teens (ages 5 to 15) at Holy Family Church, 100 Power Road, Doveton on August 22 and 23. 

This retreat is a wonderful opportunity for teenagers to come together and understand the deeper meaning of participating in the Holy Eucharist in their lives. It is designed to be an enriching experience for all participants with an engaging program planned filled with fun activities, games, object lessons, meaningful discussions, and moments of prayer and reflection. 

Enrolments are now open to attend - please head to www.divinekids.com.au for more information.

In AFL football, the third quarter is often referred to as the ‘Premiership quarter’ suggesting that it’s the one where the game is won or lost. I’m not quite sure that can exactly apply to Term 3 of school life (although I did use this analogy in my VCE teaching days!) but each year, this term really delivers! We finished last term with vibrant celebrations on St Peter’s Day and our successful inaugural Youth Group meetings on each campus. We aim to keep the momentum going with further gatherings this term and by ‘going out’ with some other initiatives. 

In a few weeks, some of our FIRE Carrier students and staff will attend an event at Avila College and connect with other Colleges in the FIRE Carrier program on a day focused on learning, collaboration and solidarity. In line with our FIRE Carrier Covenant, we will also complete some ‘professional learning’ with students via an excursion to the Koorie Heritage Trust in Melbourne and the Melbourne Museum. The final touches are being put on this excursion, but we hope it will take place later this term. In addition, we will have three House Feast Days and Patrons to celebrate in our local parishes in the coming weeks – Mary MacKillop, Maximilian Kolbe and St Augustine – and our College Captains are scheduled to meet up with Bishop Greg for their biannual meeting in Warragul. Minh, Trisha, Will and Liam met with Bishop Greg in Term 1 this year after the Project Compassion Launch in Sale so it will be good to fill him in on their leadership journeys since then and how they have tried to make our College ‘a home of peace’. I can certainly vouch for their authentic leadership in that space, and through their service to the College community.  

Such activities were considered by our College staff as they enjoyed a day of professional learning on the final day of Term 2. In a focused Catholic Identity session, we continued to work on drafts of a ‘Mission Explainer’ that outlines for new staff (at the very least) who and what we are called to be as a Catholic College. We reiterate that we are a Catholic school, in dialogue with other faith traditions, whose Mission is to spread the Good News of Jesus. Taking a deep dive into what this looks like in our school, it’s been very affirming to see that we do this is both formal and informal ways. We have a solid RE curriculum (which we intend to audit and strengthen in preparation for 2027), a strong liturgical program and many vital works for social justice. But for me, what also stands out, is our ongoing commitment to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and in how we endeavour to enact them here at school. For example, we strive to uphold the dignity of every person, having strong pastoral care, routines, programs and opportunities that meet the needs of our community. Such opportunities also call us in to solidarity with those who are in need such as our proposed Winter Sleepout on August 7 which will aim to raise awareness and funds for Vinnies. ‘Going out’ as I mentioned earlier isn’t just about traveling to other places, it’s also going out of our own comfort zones, considering the needs and plights of others and trying to be selfless. I hope that in all the busyness of school life, these messages and experiences will develop the whole student, allowing them to move into the world, informed by the good news of Jesus that we’re charged with spreading.   

Fiona McKenna

Deputy Principal

Catholic Identity & Mission Leader