House Articles
Who are we? Lourdes House
Our House Colour: Light Blue
House Motto: Imagine, Believe, Achieve
Head of House: Mr. Chris Senini
House Captains: Leigh Effenberg and Jake Murphy
Tutors: Hannah Accardi, Kate Davine, Ben Gaze, Ethan Harkins, Louis Patterson, Menaka Thirunadarajah
Support Staff: Lexie Fenton, Sarah Quinn, Christine Haasz, Bethany Millership, Andrew Grant and Christian Bertacco
Lourdes House Story
St Bernadette (Soubirous) was born into a humble family on 7 January, 1844 in Lourdes, France.
She received several visions from the Virgin Mary starting in 1858. Bernadette was out collecting firewood near a grotto when she saw a vision of a lovely lady. Over the next month, the Lady appeared to Bernadette several more times, revealing that she was the Blessed Virgin Mary, and asking for a chapel to be built on the grounds, so Bernadette could pray for the conversion of sinners. She also told Bernadette she should drink the spring water that appeared to her.
Word of these apparitions spread rapidly and Bernadette was detained, interrogated, and harassed by the civil authorities as if she were a common criminal. The villagers came to her rescue and demanded that she be released. Many of the townspeople believed that Mary was appearing to Bernadette and they came in large numbers to the grotto to pray.
Four years after Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to St Bernadette, the local Bishop ruled that the apparitions were authentic. Despite the controversy around her, and much personal illness, Bernadette remained courageous, honest and faithful to God. She eventually entered a religious house and died at an early age.
The spring water of Lourdes has been associated with miraculous healing and has become a site of pilgrimage for many people. Today, a beautiful church has been erected on the grounds near the grotto at Lourdes. Bernadette’s example to us is of a person who was willing to devote her life to God. Her story is a symbol of hope and an example of the power that one person’s faith can have on the world. St Bernadette's feast day is 18 February.
House Prayer
Loving God,
Thank you for the gift of Mary.
We pray that we may be more like Bernadette
who stood in front of Mary at the grotto.
May we be given the strength to follow our principles,
help others in need and may our goodness
continue to flow like the waters at Lourdes.
May we help the sick and down trodden
always remembering that we are all equal in the eyes of God.
Mary Mother of God… Pray for Us.
Saint Marcellin Champagnat… Pray for Us.
Holy men and women of Sion….Pray for Us
Amen.
2024 Goals
Be an active member of the Lourdes Family
As Lourdes Head of House, I encourage all members of Lourdes to strive to be “the best version of themselves.”
Be brave and have the courage to take on things that push us out of our comfort zone in a positive way. By doing this we learn that we are capable of doing so much more than we thought was possible. Life is full of so many opportunities, we need to back ourselves and take them.
Sport days saw the Lourdes “Wolf Pack” achieve amazing heights of success through a generous serving of mass participation, sprinkled with athletic ability. Lourdes achieved a close second in both the Swimming Carnival and Cross Country, however it was the Athletics Carnival where records were broken and Lourdes triumphed as 2024 Victors.
Students and staff were so very proud of these achievements.
A shout out must also go to Mr Patterson’s Lourdes 6 Tutor Group placing first in the inaugural Wellbeing “Tutor Group Create a Wall Challenge”
Achievement, however, goes further than sport carnivals and competitions. Caring for others with no benefit for yourself is a huge achievement.
Simple acts of kindness can have a huge impact on others.
Who are we? MacKillop House
Our House Colour: Dark Green
House Motto: “Never see a need without doing something about it”.
Head of House: Mrs Siobhan Ware
House Captains: Holly Carlsen and Lachlan Barr
School Expectations are mirrored for MacKillop House
- Be Respectful – to oneself, to others and to our environment
- Be Responsible – to oneself, to others and to our environment
- Be Safe – to oneself, to others and to our environment
MacKillop Prayer
Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop to live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
bringing constant hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your unending care for us and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop,
we ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit
so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.
Mary our Good Mother… Pray for Us.
Our Lady of Sion… Pray for Us.
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop… Pray for Us.
Saint Marcellin Champagnat… Pray for Us.
Sisters of Our Lady of Sion… Pray for Us.
And may we always remember… To pray for one another.
Amen.
MacKillop Story
Mary MacKillop, born in 1842 in Melbourne, dedicated her life to providing education to the underprivileged and marginalized communities in Australia. With a strong belief in the transformative power of education, she founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1866. This congregation aimed to provide accessible education to all, regardless of their background or social status.
Throughout her life, Mary MacKillop faced numerous challenges, yet her unwavering commitment to education and social justice remained steadfast. Her legacy is characterized by resilience, compassion, and a pioneering spirit that continues to inspire generations.
At Marist Sion College, the spirit of Mary MacKillop is palpable. The college community fosters an inclusive and supportive environment where every student is encouraged to excel and contribute positively to society. The core values of compassion, justice, and service are instilled in students, preparing them not only for academic success but also for a life dedicated to making a difference in the world.
The college's commitment to academic excellence is complemented by a range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, and community service programs. These opportunities have allowed MacKillop students to develop leadership skills, cultivate talents, and build lasting friendships. Students are actively encouraged to participate volunteer projects such as Project Compassion that benefit the wider community. Wellbeing lessons and experiences have ensured students learn the importance of empathy, cooperation, and making meaningful contributions to society—a reflection of Mary MacKillop's belief in serving others with humility and compassion.
Mary MacKillop's vision of accessible education and compassionate service continues to inspire the mission and values of MacKillop students. Through its dedication to academic excellence, holistic development, and community engagement, MacKillop House honours her legacy while preparing students to thrive in an ever-changing world. As we looks to the future, it remains committed to nurturing future leaders who embody the spirit of Mary MacKillop—one of courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication to making a positive difference in society.
