Catholic Identity
We recently played a song at assembly as part of our Acknowledgement of Country and our prayer. It is a song written by a theologian who reflects on the hopes our young people might have for the future: “Our young people have a vision of all living in a world that tastes of justice, and fairness, and wholeness, and healing” (On This Sacred Ground, Heaney/Janke, Willow Music). In many ways, our current world is challenging that vision in the eyes of our young people.
Our theme for the year challenges us all to be Pilgrims of Hope and to Look Beyond. It is a daring challenge, as it asks us to look beyond the news, the despair of war, and the injustices being perpetrated on people around the world to see that there is still a vision of hope. As a school, we continue to teach our students with a true sense that there is hope, there is a future for them, and there is a world for them to care for. That is the Easter promise, and it is one upon which our school is founded. Each time we celebrate as a community or learn about the teachings of Jesus, we instil a sense of hope in our young people.
RE Curriculum
As our students move into Semester Two, they will be learning about Christian ethics and ways of striving for justice in the world. Our Year 7's will study how to create relationships based on trust and honesty, our Year 8s will explore justice issues around the world and the teachings of Catholic Social Teaching, while our Year 9's will begin to study the lives of people who are making a difference in the world today—our modern saints.
In the senior years, students will be studying ethics and the reasons for acting justly in the world. This learning will be complemented by days of reflection in Years 8, 9 and 10, as well as the celebration of our annual Peace Mass with six of our local Catholic primary schools. All of this guides our students towards a vision of the world that allows them to have hope and to seek justice.
Game Changers
Recently, our Year 7 and 8 Game Changers group led a lunchtime activity for their peers to build community and test their leadership skills. The highlight of the activity was the Jenga Challenge, which had many nerve-wracking moments and ended in a tie due to time constraints. Many thanks to Mr Hogan for inspiring our students to continue to meet and develop their skills as a team.
Canned Food Drive
Our Year 11 RESA class has been conducting a Canned Food Drive this term to help some of the more vulnerable members of our community during this very chilly winter. All donations will go to Vinnies, to be distributed to those most in need in our local area. While the term is coming to a close, it is never too late to donate if you have some spare tins at home. Later in Term 3, they will be organising a Homeless Sleepout to raise awareness of the struggles some people face in the world today.
Marist Connect
In late June, our senior student leaders hosted the Marist Youth Ministry Team and leaders from Lavalla College at Catholic College. They welcomed our guests through the Charism Garden and spent time reflecting on the plight of refugees in the world today in light of the story of Jesus. Our students created a great sense of welcome for our guests. We finished the night with a delicious feast of pizza.
Jeff Hobbs
Director of Religious Educatio