Living with Strength and Kindliness

This week is Refugee Week. In 2024, we're focusing on the theme 'Finding Freedom' with a special look at the importance of family. Refugee Week is all about recognising the strength, courage, and togetherness that refugees show on their journey to find a safe place to live.

Families play a big role in helping each other stay strong and hopeful, even when things are tough. Whether it's parents supporting their children, brothers and sisters looking out for each other, or the new friends and neighbors they meet along the way, these relationships are like a shining light in dark times.

At St Joseph’s we are reflecting on the plight of refugees and spending time in reflective experiences and fundraising activities.  One of these is the ration challenge that some of our staff and students engage with. We are also sharing a meal and a story on Friday to raise funds for the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP). 

A reminder that Friday is also crazy sock day. Students and staff are encouraged to wear crazy socks and bring a gold coin donation for BASP. 

This past week some of our student leaders participated in the Kildare Ministries Social Justice overnight experience. Please see below a reflection from our Living Justice Living Peace Leader Cora Wilson.

"Recently, we attended the Kildare Ministries Living Justice Living Peace Seminar, a two-day conference aimed towards senior students passionate about social justice and mission. This seminar offered an exploration of current social justice issues which further developed our knowledge on contemporary social issues. Through insightful guest speakers and interactive workshops, we learnt about effective advocacy strategies to apply in our own school community. A highlight in particular was hearing from a guest speaker on behalf of the organisation, Dignity. Dignity aims to change the stereotypical ways we view homelessness, fostering a more compassionate and dignified frame of mind. One of their initiatives in particular is food relief where they have sanctioned fridges in communities Australia-wide that are stocked with free meals for those who are struggling. This sparked ideas for how we as a school can come up with creative and involved ways, which aren’t just monetary donations, to give back and help our local community."

Lee Pethybridge

College Leader - Faith and Community