Catholic Identity and Mission
The College theme for 2024 is ‘First Light. Reveal the Spirit.’ It is a beautiful theme with strong imagery and a deep spiritual message which can be unpacked and understood in a way which is unique to the individual.
Spirit is the timeless and endless connection to the Creator which is as strong today as from it’s inception. Last week at the College swimming sports we saw the students’ House Spirit on show; I attended the Taylor Swift concert on the weekend and felt the spirit of 96,000 screaming fans; and it is equally present in the quietest of our students who we would consider to have a gentle spirit.
Spirit is at the essence of who we are because as a Catholic community, we recognize that we are made with inherent dignity, in the image and likeness of God and therefore God’s Spirit rests within us.
It doesn’t matter the context or how we consider it – the Spirit is the Spirit. It is how the Spirit reveals itself that might change or look and sound different. So, the image of the sunrise at Standley Chasm which welcomes us on our belltower, is a breathtaking revelation of first light and a stunning reminder that the Spirit is present to energise our days. Every day is a new opportunity for new revelations.
The Season of Lent is upon us and as a community we hosted the launch of Project Compassion, attended by school captains from many of the secondary schools in our Diocese and student representatives from some of our feeder primary schools as well. Bishop Greg presided over the prayer service and stayed on to enjoy a pancake feast prepared by Hannah Smith and Kathy Barson and the VM RE students. The Marist-Sion College community revealed their spirit of hospitality to the Diocese which was warmly received. I would like to thank all of the student participants and the staff who made the day one of welcoming.
Coming up this term we have the Commencement and Year 7 Welcome Mass next Thursday, February 29 so please ensure that your child is wearing their full College Summer uniform as outlined in the Student Uniform Policy on p.121-127 in the Student Planner.
The Year 7 Reflection Days will be held on Tuesday, March 5 – Year 7A-D and Wednesday, March 6 – Year 7D-H. The Year 12 Overnight Retreat will be held on March 25-26 at Phillip Island Adventure Resort. Please note that these are compulsory school events and they are being custom designed to create relevant and engaging learning and social opportunities for your children. Please ensure that they don’t miss out.
Mrs Jacinta Johnston
Deputy Principal: Catholic Identity and Mission