Secondary School
On this page: Agriculturist and Missionary Tony Rinaudo visits Year 10-11 Geography Students / Year 10 Leadership Day / Rite Journey Mentor Walk
Agriculturist and Missionary Tony Rinaudo visits Year 10-11 Geography Students
On Friday, 3 May, our Year 10 and 11 Geography students were honoured to welcome Tony Rinaudo AM, World Vision Australia's Principal Climate Action Advisor, to share his inspirational story of hope.
In the early 1980s, Tony was living and working in Niger which had a very dry and dusty landscape following widespread deforestation.
In an attempt to help revive the degraded land, Tony, alongside local farmers, developed and trialled a technique known as Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration. This involved pruning and protecting tree stumps that had pre-existing, extensive root systems.
With careful monitoring, the trees grew back. The approach was amazingly successful, and in Niger alone, 5 million hectares of land with more than 200 million trees were restored in this way.
The approach has been applied in at least 29 countries across Africa and Asia.
Tony's story illustrated amazing determination despite the initial ridicule he received from local farmers; great perseverance to shift the mindsets of the communities and governments involved; and the empowerment of the many people living on the regenerated land.
Tony challenged the students with the words of St Augustine, that in order to bring about hope, we should be angry at the injustices in the world and then show courage to change them.
Chris Bright
Geography Teacher
Year 10 Leadership Day
The Year 10 Leadership Day was a valuable time for spiritual growth, teamwork, and self-discovery. Rooted in the importance of our relationship with God and the transformative power of vision, the day unfolded with impactful activities that left a lasting imprint on our hearts and minds.
Our morning began with a deep reflection on the significance of our connection with God. Through prayer, reflection, and discussions, we reaffirmed that our faith is the foundation for all our endeavours, including leadership.
With our hearts inspired, we transitioned into a thrilling Tree Climb Challenge. The leaders had to utilise trust, perseverance, and pushing beyond their comfort zones, all of which directly enhanced character that is required within leadership.
Following this adventure, the Year 10s engaged in a session where they delved into understanding one another's strengths and weaknesses, exploring how God had made us all differently.
Through a thought-provoking personality test, we gained insights into our unique qualities and how they contribute to the collective success of our community.
Our conversations were a picture of Romans 12:4-5, "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
In closing, the Year 10 Leadership Day was a testament to the transformative impact of faith, unity, and vision.
As we continue our journey, let us carry these lessons in our hearts, empowering us to lead with integrity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to God's calling.
Blessings,
Justin Bailey
Director Year 9-10
Georgina Lampard
Year 10 Pastoral Coordinator
Year 9 Rite Journey Mentor Walk
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise..." (Proverbs 13:20)
It was a blessing to see so many volunteer mentors and parents joining our Year 9s for our first Mentor Walk of the year.
This is a simple way to support our Year 9s in meaningful and intentional relationships with adults as they grow to be adults themselves. Seeing the eagerness of these volunteer mentors and their willingness to spend time investing in the coming generation is a wonderful example of the grace of God at work in our wider college community.
We also give thanks for the evidence we see of maturity, openness and care in our Year 9s in the way they engage with adults in their lives.
Please continue to pray with us for all the Rite Journey students and their mentors through this year that their time and conversations will be blessed and sow seeds that will bear fruit for many years to come.
Nigel Eaton
Rite Journey and Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator
