Faith, Culture and Community

The Bat Story

This term, our whole school have been exploring the beautiful themes of belonging and welcoming combining scripture and Indigenous wisdom.

We began with the Aboriginal Dreaming story of the Bat. In this story, the Bat struggles to find his place, feeling he doesn't quite fit with the birds or the land animals. His choice to hang upside down reminds us that sometimes, we need a change of perspective to see where we truly belong.

We linked this story to many scripture stories across the school.  

The junior school focussed on Matthews scripture of 'Welcoming the Stranger'. Students learned about fairness and sharing compassion and acceptance with each other as they learn social skills on the playground and in the classroom. 

The middle school were inspired by the scripture passage 1Corinthians 12: 20 - 21, which teaches us that we are 'Many parts, but one Body; if one part suffers, every part suffers, if one part rejoices, every part rejoices'.  The students reflected on the ways that we are all unique, bringing our own selves to work together with others.  They created Stop Motion Videos of possible resolutions to Bat's Story!

Finally our senior school foussed on Psalm 139:14,  'I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well' and/or Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.  Just as the Bat is a unique mix of features, every child in our school brings a unique gift to God’s family.   This provided an opportunity for the students to reflect on how they will use their unique strengths to be witnesses to God's message of love, faith and hope. 

The students created their own art and digital stories to show their understanding, reminding us that our differences make our community stronger.

You may like to continue the conversation at home.  You could use the following prompts and questions:

Tell me about the Bat Story - they could act this out

What did the Bat teach you about feeling left out?

How can we use our 'Bat’s Eye View' to see someone who needs a friend this week?

Why is our family/school better because everyone is different?

Harmony Day

MacLellan House will lead the school in Harmony Day activities and celebrations on Friday 27th March.  This year we will focus on the book' Afloat'.

Roam the water with me. We are here to learn. Here to spin wisdom, to grow …

From award-winning Gunai author Kirli Saunders (OAM) and seven-time CBCA-winner Freya Blackwood comes Afloat, a story told in a time of climate crisis. Against a backdrop of a changed environment, an Elder leads a child along the waterways, sharing her People's knowledge and gathering community along the way.

Afloat is an uplifting and inspiring picture book that uses the practice of weaving as a powerful metaphor for the honouring and teaching of First Nations wisdom, and the coming together of all people to survive, thrive and create a more hopeful future.

We invite students to dress in their cultural colours e.g. Australian (gold/green), National Dress (if you have one) or the colour Orange which symbolises Harmony.

Each student will participate in weaving and this will create a woven whole school masterpiece that represents our commitment to weaving each narrative together to live harmoniously.

We will celebrate Harmony Day at our assembly at 9:15am.  We would love to see you there!

Sacrament of Reconciliation

In two weeks time, 24 of our students will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a timely reminder during our Lenten season  that saying "I’m sorry" and offering forgiveness is a kind of superpower that heals hearts and brings us closer to God. This sacrament teaches us that true peace always starts small; right here in our school playground when we choose to make up after a disagreement, play fairly, or include someone who feels left out. When we learn to mend our own friendships, we start to understand how healing works on a much bigger scale. Whether we are praying for world peace during difficult times across the globe, or looking right here at home in Victoria as we journey toward a Treaty with First Nations people, Reconciliation shows us that listening, acknowledging past mistakes, and moving forward together with respect is the way we build a fairer community. By practicing forgiveness every day, our students learn that they have the power to be the everyday peacemakers God calls them to be.  Please keep our students in your prayers as they receive this sacrament of Healing