Catholic Identity & Mission News

Who will be the GOAT in 2024? After our recent attendance at the Project Compassion Launch, our Cranbourne Social Justice and Liturgy Captains have issued this challenge to tutor groups to be the ‘Greatest Of All Tutor groups’ at St Peter’s College by raising at least $65 per Project Compassion box. Once donated to Caritas Australia, these funds would then cover the cost of actual goats to be provided for those in need. Goats are a versatile gift for they can provide milk, cheese, and meat, they can be bred with the kids being sold as a means to raise money, and the manure of goats can also assist in the growth of crops. With about three weeks to go of Lent, I hope that many members of our community get behind this initiative so that we can send a trip of goats (yes, that’s the collective noun for goats!) to build brighter futures for those living in difficult circumstances.  

Our Religious Education (RE) classes have surely discussed this initiative in addition to other Lenten actions and themes over these past couple of weeks. I always argue that RE is the most important subject we study at St Peter’s. Fulfilling our Mission, it is what distinguishes us from other schools and facilitates that vital layer in the holistic education we provide. I am privileged to meet many new families to the College through our enrolment interview process and am always keen to emphasise this. We have a wonderful College motto, ‘Be not afraid’, and an inspiring school patron in St Peter, and our RE classes complement both of them as we learn about faith in theory and action.

This year, we have two new RE Coaches to lead our RE curriculum and teams. They are Ms Denise Tan at the Cranbourne campus, and Mr Matthew Van der Velden at the Clyde North campus. Already I have been so impressed by their enthusiasm and organisation in their new roles. Even though they are coaches and therefore part of the curriculum leadership in the school, they still work closely with me with respect to Catholic Identity and Mission. Enhancing our experiences of dialogue in the class and bringing the scriptures to life within our own contexts are key goals I know that both these coaches have.

As we continue our journey through Lent, it’s important that we are reminded that this season is not just about ‘giving things up’, in Lent, we are also encouraged to ‘take things up’; things like doing things for others without being asked, being forgiving when we could harbour resentment or offence, or financially supporting a good cause like the GOAT! May our Lenten actions be marked by justice, kindness, and humility as together, we continue our penance and preparation for Easter.

Ms Fiona McKenna

Deputy Principal - Catholic Identity & Mission