Faith, Community and Culture

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day

On August 4th, our school community gathered to mark National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day; a vital moment to celebrate First Nations youth, culture, and community.

August 4th was chosen in 1988 to communally celebrate the birthdays of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children taken from their families at a young age, the Stolen Generations, who were denied knowledge of their actual birth dates. Today, this date stands as a nationwide celebration of Indigenous children's strength and a commitment to preserving their connection to culture, family and Country.

Our event began at Frank Street Reserve with a quick introduction explaining the purpose and history of the day. Following this, our St John’s FIRE (Friends in Reconciliation in Education) Carriers led a meaningful Acknowledgement of Country.

From there, we walked together back to school in a strong display of unity. This walk served as a practical, visible action toward reconciliation right here in our Victorian community.

Walking for reconciliation ties directly into the historic progress taking place across our state:

Australia’s First Treaty: Victoria is currently the only state in Australia to sign and pass legislation for a Statewide Treaty with First Peoples, negotiated through the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.

Self-Determination: The Treaty framework ensures First Nations communities lead the way in designing policies that affect their families, leading to better outcomes in health, housing and education.

Truth and Healing: Built alongside truth-telling processes (such as the Yoorrook Justice Commission), Victoria's Treaty provides a foundation of honesty, respect and genuine partnership for all Victorians.

Thank you to all the students, staff, and families who walked with us on August 4th to honour First Nations children and take active steps toward a reconciled future!

Body Education - middle school

A massive thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Body Education night hosted by Kelly Nash! With over 30 families in attendance, the evening was a marvellous success filled with laughter, learning and connection. Kelly provided a hilarious, lighthearted and refreshingly open introduction to the similarities and differences of our bodies and our families. She skillfully transformed potentially awkward topics into an engaging, age-appropriate experience, leaving both parents and children with plenty of giggles, fresh insights and practical ways to keep these important conversations going comfortably at home.

Wilson House Liturgy

Our recent Wilson House liturgy was a beautiful celebration centred on our charism of compassion, taking inspiration from Australia’s first saint, Saint Mary MacKillop. Drawing from Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians, which calls us to "clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness and gentleness", students reflected on how small, everyday acts of care make our school community a warmer, more welcoming place for everyone. To put Mary MacKillop’s legacy of practical care into action, we invite all families to participate in our St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) collection over the next fortnight. By donating warm winter clothes, our students can experience firsthand what it means to extend a helping hand to families in need. Thank you for supporting our children as they wrap our broader community in compassion!