Faith, Justice and Formation

International Women’s Day

With the marking of International Women’s Day last week, it is important to remember the purpose of the day. It is about acknowledging the achievements of women around the world as well as bringing equality to all those women who suffer at the hands of many forces. It is a day about justice, trying to give a voice to those who are silenced, to give fair pay to those who do the same job for less, to change attitudes in places where women do not have a seat at the table, to pull women out of slavery, to give women safety when faced with domestic violence and outdated laws of oppression. 

We cannot just look at this day within our own context. It is a day to promote and advance women in places where they are second class citizens. Nonetheless, there is still often work to do in our communities to bring about equality too.

This year’s theme is Inspire Inclusion which can tap into many fields, including giving a voice to our First Nations women, welcoming refugees as humans, caring for those thrust into poverty due to violence or lack of education and more.

I was fortunate to go to two events last week. The first on Thursday night was called From Melancholia to Imagination put on by the House of Welcome, Josephite Justice Network and the Justice and Peace Office. It was about how our nation at present seems to have fallen into a state of mourning for the loss of a world that once existed, and thus more internal hatred and fear has grown. I heard from four amazing women, three refugees to our country over different periods of time and another who works in this space with disaffected women. The stories of these women were amazing – the resilience after the hatred and hurt they have been faced with is extraordinary. (Look them up! Khatereh Nazari, Noor Azizah, Dr Paula Sanchez and Dr Rimple Mehta). We have much to learn from them as a human race let alone any one gender. As a nation we were once accepting of people fleeing war and famine, and now we lock them up and take away their freedoms. These stories show the contribution of refugees to new countries when given a chance. These are the women who need our thoughts and actions.

The second was on Friday at Strathfield Council. The keynote speaker said a few things that resonated with me – we’ve come a long way in the way women see themselves, calling someone a strong woman can be an insult implying all other women are weak and that the aspirations of women today have grown so much since the days of their mothers and grandmothers before them. 

This is what one of the students, Damian Laggis, had to say about the event:

I had the privilege of joining Ms. Daley, Luke Hill, and Francesco Mazza at Strathfield Town Hall on 8 March, for International Women's Day. We listened to inspiring remarks from Jane Caro, which deeply resonated with us. Reflecting on the importance of this day in our society, the atmosphere was remarkable. Jane Caro's speech left a lasting impact, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs experienced by women worldwide. Throughout the day, it became evident that International Women's Day is more than just a celebration—It serves as a constant reminder of the enduring fight for gender equality and the significance of elevating women's voices across every facet of society. The boys and I had a valuable opportunity to learn about gender equality, diversity, and the significance of fostering inclusivity in our communities during the event.  

I know I am a very lucky woman (pretty sad to even use that term because as humans we should all be more equal), but I am only blessed and able to live the life I have because of all the great women who went before me. I am thankful to those who fought so we could vote, those who challenged gender stereotypes, those who modelled leadership where it hadn’t been before. Now with this ‘luck’ it is my responsibility to do the same for others; those in my context and those who live in places where life is much tougher. Society as a whole is more successful when all have a place and a purpose. It is our role to bring this about.

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity

SPC Lenten Appeal - Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser

Bakers Delight have offered our school the opportunity to participate in their Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser for 2024, to be delivered just before Easter.

For each packet of six hot cross buns purchased, Bakers Delight will donate $2.00 back to our school. All funds raised will be donated to our Lenten Partners - Lucas Gardens School, Chalmers Road School, St Joseph’s Alice Springs and the Edmund Rice Life Training Centre in Papua New Guinea. Bakers Delight pride themselves on maintaining the highest possible quality products by using only quality ingredients.

We will be offering the following varieties:

• Traditional fruit
• Fruitless 
• Choc Chip

Please order your hot cross buns here!

Orders will close at midnight, Sunday 17 March. 

Hot cross buns will be distributed to students (eldest child to collect) at lunchtime on Monday 25 March 2024.