The Lumen Bulletin

From the Principal

During Week Five, I had the honour of presenting at the Australian Catholic Education Conference (ACEC) in Cairns, alongside Giovanna Fiume (newly appointed Principal at Salvado Catholic College and former Principal of La Salle College) and Lisa Fogliani (newly appointed Principal at Aranmore Catholic College and former Principal of Mercy College). With over 1,400 educators from across Australia in attendance, the conference was a powerful celebration of Catholic education and a wonderful opportunity to share the inspiring work happening in our schools.

 

Our presentation, titled “Sustaining a Vision for Learning,” showcased how La Salle College, Mercy College, and Lumen Christi College are embedding whole-school approaches to learning. It was a privilege to speak on behalf of our college and share the journey we’ve undertaken to create a learning environment that is Christ-centred, student-focused, and future-ready.

 

We explored how Lumen’s Vision for Learning – ‘Discover Together’ is not just a guiding document, but a living framework that informs everything we do—from staff development and wellbeing programs to values education and student engagement. 

 

This opportunity also gave me a moment to reflect on the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the support of our families. The progress we’ve made is only possible because of the commitment and care shown by our entire school community. Being able to represent our college in this way on a national stage was a deeply affirming experience.

 

As we move through Term Four, I’m reminded of the many ways our community continues to live out our shared values. Just this week, our Year 11 students and staff participated in the Emmaus Retreat on 28–29 August—a cherished tradition that offers time for reflection, connection, and spiritual growth. It’s always a highlight of the year and a beautiful example of our commitment to nurturing the whole person.

 

Looking ahead, I’d also like to highlight some upcoming events:

 

  • Wednesday, 3 September – Friday, 5 September (Week 7): Our annual dance showcase, “All That Dance,” will feature a matinee performance on Wednesday, followed by evening performances on Thursday and Friday.
  • Thursday, 4 September (Week 7): We celebrate all the fathers and father figures in our lives with our Fathers' Day Breakfast, starting at 7:30am.
  • Thursday, 11 September (Week 8): We come together as a college to recognise R U OK? Day, a national initiative that encourages meaningful conversations and connection. It’s a reminder to check in with those around us, ask “Are you OK?”, and offer support to anyone who may be struggling with life’s challenges—because a conversation could change a life.

 

Karen Prendergast

Principal