Assistant Principal

Gospel Challenge - Sunday 28 September 2025

On Sunday at Mass, you will hear the passage from Luke called The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. This Gospel delivers a stark message: how we handle wealth and treat the poor has eternal consequences. The rich man, unnamed and indulgent in life, ends up in torment after death. While Lazarus, who was poor and suffered, is comforted beside Abraham. This parable challenges us as modern readers, especially in affluent societies. It confronts our perceived reliance on wealth and having more while also highlighting the inequalities that we see in our world. From this Gospel, we are challenged to lead lives that are based on compassion and generosity. How can we be extra generous this fortnight? Do we have more time for our children or neighbours? Can we show more compassion to people who we find triggering or difficult? School holidays will come for many parents with their own challenges. How can you show compassion during this time? 

The Learning Pit

The Learning Pit is a metaphor created by educator James Nottingham to illustrate the process of deep learning and critical thinking. It emphasises that meaningful learning often involves struggle, confusion, and perseverance. Rather than avoiding difficulty, learners are encouraged to embrace it as a vital part of growth.

The journey begins in the comfort zone, where learners feel secure in what they already know. Teachers do this in the classroom through reviews and by ‘building the field’ allowing students to draw on prior knowledge.

As students encounter new or challenging ideas, they descend into the pit — a place of uncertainty and discomfort. This stage is marked by questioning, exploration, and sometimes frustration but it’s also where curiosity and reflection thrive.

With effort, dialogue, and support learners begin to climb out of the pit. They make connections, test ideas, and gradually build understanding. Emerging from the pit, they gain not only knowledge but also confidence and resilience. This process helps develop a growth mindset, showing that struggle is not a sign of failure but a pathway to deeper insight.

Ultimately, the Learning Pit teaches children that real learning is not linear or easy. It requires courage to face challenges and persistence to work through them. By recognising and valuing this journey, educators and learners alike can foster environments where critical thinking and personal development flourish.

So as parents, next time before you automatically provide your children with the answer, let them sit in ‘The Pit’ for a little while. Give them a few prompts or hints and they may just surprise you and themselves by getting out of the pit - more confident, resilient and with a real example that helps to build their growth mindset!

Holidays

The holidays are nearly here. If you are looking for some fun activities, please have a look here at events in Sydney that may spark an interest for you. 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our families a very safe, happy and restful holiday break. 

With thanks

Jacky Guardascione

Assistant Principal