Editorial
Dear friends of Kildare Ministries,
My four younger sisters will tell you that I was destined to be a teacher after rounding them up to sit in my make-believe classroom when I was 10 years old. Teaching was all I had wanted to do from a very young age and I have always loved the joy of knowledge, and engaging students in learning. It has been a gift and a privilege to have been involved in this wonderful profession almost all of my life.
My first teaching job was with the De La Salle Brothers at St James College, East Bentleigh. St John Baptist de la Salle is the patron saint of teaching, so my life long ambition of being a teacher commenced in good hands. Indeed, as my career advanced, my vocation was enriched by various religious charisms including – the Carmelites (Whitefriars College), the Sisters of Mercy (Sacred Heart College, Geelong), the Loreto Sisters (Loreto Ministries) and finally the Brigidine and Presentation sisters (Kildare Ministries).
It has been a privilege to be a part of a dynamic new Church entity – Kildare Ministries. An important aspect of this new type of Church governance structure is that it provides a unique opportunity for a new level of lay participation in the governance of the Church. The structure enables members of the laity to be appointed as canonical stewards, a role formerly open only to members of the clergy and Religious Institutes.
Informed by the gospel imperative, the Living Justice Living Peace charter gives expression to our Mission to be relevant and to exercise ethical decision making for the good of humanity and our planet. Now more than ever before, in the midst of a pandemic, we need the Brigidine motto of Strength and Kindliness and the motto of Star of the Sea College– Deeds not Words.
‘By performing the ordinary duties of your day well you will perfect yourself, and your day will be full of merit and good works’. Daniel Delany
For me, teaching has enabled a very ordinary person to be engaged with an extraordinary vocation. What’s memorable about a teaching career are the stories one encounters along the way and the collegiality of the profession. It has been a career rich in humanity and compassion. It is fitting that I end my career as we celebrate the Kildare Ministries value of Wonder. I wonder and marvel at the commitment of Principals to lead their communities through the pandemic, the dedication of teachers to ensure meaningful learning and care for the wellbeing of students no matter what the circumstances and the resilience of students and their families to not only persevere during lockdown after lockdown but learn and creatively respond to it.
Teaching and educational leadership are challenging on a daily basis. One nuances one’s teaching after each lesson to suit the learning needs of the students. What worked today or last year will not work tomorrow with the same class because… it’s the last period of the day; it’s windy; there has been a fight at lunchtime; all is not well at home and so on. Relating to up to 120 different adolescents is rich but demanding but the creative process of developing young minds is a privilege. Add to all this the parents of a school community, walking with them as they navigate adolescence with their children and one can see why those term breaks are necessary! Similarly, as a leader in a school, one quickly learns that the interruptions are the job. Time for dreaming and strategic planning is best done away from the demands of the school day. Each interaction I have had with Principals reinforces for me how they live out on a daily basis, the Kildare Ministries strategic intentions:
- Living with Compassion
- Leading with Courage
- Learning with Wonder
After a career ruled by the bell and the cycle of the school year, and more recently, onerous compliance and regulations, I am looking forward to the challenge of choosing my own adventure. As someone who has promoted life-long learning, it’s time to challenge myself anew and live a simpler lifestyle, walking gently upon this earth. And, post COVID, hug my youngest granddaughter for the first time!
‘May we like Brigid, Daniel and Nano
know the fire within
And trust the opening path.’
Jeff Burn
Executive Officer
Kildare Education Ministries