Celebrating Excellence in Writing: First Place in the JRS Refugee Week Competition

We are delighted to congratulate Maryam on achieving First Place in the Secondary School Written Category of the JRS Refugee Week Writing Competition.

Inspired by the theme of Refugee Week, Maryam crafted a deeply moving and heartfelt anecdote that beautifully captured her family's experiences. Through her thoughtful storytelling, she reflected on themes of resilience, hope, belonging, and the enduring strength of family. Her authentic voice and emotional insight resonated strongly with the judges, making her entry a standout among submissions from secondary students.

The competition, organised by Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), encourages young people to engage with the experiences of refugees and displaced communities through creative expression. Maryam’s winning piece demonstrated not only exceptional writing skills but also a profound empathy and appreciation for the journeys that shape people's lives.

This remarkable achievement is a testament to her creativity, courage in sharing a personal story, and commitment to using writing as a powerful tool for fostering understanding and compassion.

We are incredibly proud of Maryam and congratulate her on this outstanding accomplishment. Her success reminds us of the importance of listening to and sharing stories that inspire empathy, celebrate diversity, and strengthen our sense of community.

Congratulations, Maryam, on this well-deserved recognition!

St Vincent de Paul Encounter Day, 22/6/26

This term, students participated in the St Vinnies Encounter Day, a powerful and formative experience that invited them to step beyond the classroom and engage with the lived realities of people in our community. The day was designed to bring faith and learning together in a meaningful way, encouraging students to reflect on how they can respond to the world with compassion, justice, and action.

Throughout the day, students encountered stories and experiences that highlighted the challenges faced by those living on the margins of society. These encounters helped students recognise the inherent dignity of every person, deepening their understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and the call to stand in solidarity with those in need.

A key focus of the day was the St Vincent de Paul Society’s “SEE, THINK, DO” framework. Students were encouraged to:

SEE the reality of poverty, disadvantage, and social injustice in our community

THINK critically about the causes of these issues and how they impact individuals and families

DO respond through practical action, advocacy, and service

The Encounter Day provided students with an opportunity to connect learning with lived experience, helping them to understand that faith is not only expressed in words, but in action. Many students reflected on how the day challenged their assumptions and inspired them to consider how they can contribute positively to the world around them.

We encourage all students to continue embracing opportunities that extend beyond the classroom experiences that form character, deepen empathy, and bring learning to life. It is through these meaningful encounters that students are shaped not only as learners, but as compassionate and socially aware members of our community.

St Vinnies Encounter Day stands as a reminder that when we see, think, and do, we take important steps toward building a more just and caring society.

Testimonials:

Mia:

On Monday, our group from the Mary Mackilop Award Program went on an excursion to St John Paul II Catholic College, with the purpose of formatting our faith, and exploring how it is lived, and in action. Throughout the day, we gained awareness of how some unfortunate people experience homelessness, and how many of the things that make us feel safe can quickly disappear, making a ripple effect on our life. We were able to refine our knowledge on Vinnies, as people hosting the encounter day gave us an insight into what, how and why they help those who cannot help themselves. By helping those that have been forgotten, marginalised and caught up in the challenges of modern costs of living. Just as we were shown frightening facts such as 30,000 in Australia under the age of 18 experiencing homelessness, you too can see this as a sign that we are called to live in solidarity for others, and appreciate the luxuries that we have.

Lauren:

This Monday, 5 of us who were in the Mary Mackillop Program were able to go on an excursion to St John Paul II’s catholic college to learn more about what the Vinnies organisation is about and to help us understand why we need to actively engage in it. During the day, we learnt about how common homelessness is in Australia and how it can happen completely out of our control. A popular statement that the people at Vinnies repeated was “Homelessness can be only one crisis away.” This excursion helped me formulate more ideas that I could do to support these people in need and put my perspective into who I am helping and how my actions benefit them.

Heidi:

On Monday we went to St Vincent De Paul Encounter Day. During this encounter we were able to expand our knowledge on how St Vinnies help the unfortunate and vulnerable, how easy it is to become poor, and we were able to collaborate with other year groups in different schools from around the Parramatta Diocese. This experience has expanded our understanding of St Vinnies and the poor, marginalised and vulnerable.

Ysabella:

On Monday, 5 students from the Mary Mackillop Award Program had the opportunity to attend the faith in action encounter day at St John Paul II Catholic College. Throughout the day, we explored the work of St Vincent De Paul and gained a greater understanding of homelessness and the challenges faced by vulnerable people in our community. One message that particularly stood out to me was that homelessness can be one crisis away. This experience encouraged me to think about how I can make a positive impact volunteering, supporting food and clothing donations, and being more mindful of those who may be struggling. Both at the school and within our community, I can contribute through acts of service, advocacy, and compassion.

Mrs January Chan

Faith in Action Lead Teacher

Wellbeing