Deputy Principal

2023 Social Justice Statement

Social Justice Sunday was held on 27 August. This year’s Social Justice Statement published by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is titled, Listen, Learn, Love: 

A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples:

https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2023/08/22/social-justice-statement-2023-24/   

This statement is issued in an important year for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and, indeed, for all Australians. It’s the year when we vote on a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians through enshrining a Voice to Parliament in the Constitution. Both the Bishops and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) speak to us in this year’s statement. They see the referendum as an opportunity for the Church to begin a new engagement with the First Peoples of our land. NATSICC speaks directly to us about the history of injustice and mistreatment faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and shares what they hope for in the future. NATSICC supports the Voice to Parliament. The Bishops encourage all Australians to seek out opportunities for dialogue with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples so that we are well informed about their hopes for the future before we decide on our vote.The Bishops and NATSICC see this year as an opportunity for the Church to lead the way for all Australians. Instead of telling the First Peoples what should happen, they say we need to listen to them and learn from them what is the best way to overcome their significant disadvantage. Instead of arrogance, the Church can lead the way to a better future for the First Peoples and for all Australians by engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in a spirit of humility and love. The Bishops and NATSICC invite us to this new engagement in the statement’s conclusion:

“We, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council, invite members of the Church to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this year of great possibility. We hope for an end to the pain, the hurt and the injustice that has burdened the First Peoples of this land for far too long. Let us commit ourselves to fostering a civilisation of love in Australia. Let’s come together in friendship and love to show all that love can not only change individual lives, but that it can change society for the better.”

Pastoral Statement from Archbishop Mark Coleridge

This week, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane, has issued a Pastoral Statement from on the upcoming Referendum: https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/articles/a-pastoral-statement-on-the-referendum/ 

It provides a sobering perspective on Australia’s history and a considered statement of the Church’s response. Archbishop Mark concludes: 

“The status quo is not an option, because the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia is growing wider rather than closing. Therefore, I urge everyone in the Archdiocese to prepare to vote in a way that looks to the Gospel and, whatever the result of the Referendum, to commit to redressing the chronic disadvantage suffered by the Indigenous peoples and promoting reconciliation for the good not just of some but of the whole nation.” 

Given the level of disinformation, ill-informed commentary and vitriol in the mainstream media and online, messages and prayers that are respectful, positive and hope-filled, are certainly needed.

Find Out More

Our Graduate Vision privileges the characteristics of an informed and engaged citizen: curiosity; critical thinking; respectful, robust questioning; and hope. As part of the Homeroom program over the past year, students have read the Uluru Statement from the Heart and explored some aspects of the upcoming Referendum. They have heard how we as a Franciscan community understand the constitutional amendments being proposed, a perspective informed by our Christian faith and the Catholic social justice tradition. Whatever position our students and families share, as an educational institution we have a responsibility to facilitate learning. Listed below are some resources that I have found personally helpful in understanding the Referendum. Perhaps they may be of interest to you.

• The Voice to Parliament by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O’Brien (published by Hardie Grant Explore)

• An Indigenous Voice to Parliament: Considering a Constitutional Bridge by Fr Frank Brennan (published by Garratt Publishing)

• “How do the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ cases stack up? Constitutional experts take a look,” The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/how-do-the-yes-and-no-cases-stack-up-constitutional-law-experts-take-a-look-212364. 

The Feast of the Stigmata of Saint Francis 

Next Friday 15 September we will celebrate our College Feast Day: the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi. In the year 1224, as Saint Francis was in deep contemplation, he developed the marks of Jesus’ crucifixion on his own body. This extraordinary event in the life of Saint Francis is represented in our College crest and our College name. Our crest shows the arms of Jesus and Saint Francis and each hand bears the wound of the nails used to crucify Jesus. Our College is named after the place where this miracle occurred. La Verna (in Latin, Alverna and in English, Alvernia), is an isolated mountain area where Saint Francis was praying when he received the stigmata. So what does the stigmata of Saint Francis mean for us today? The miracle of stigmata might seem difficult to explain. How does someone almost spontaneously develop wounds on their hands?  While we may not be able to explain how this happened, we can certainly consider Francis’ life and the life and death of Jesus to try to understand what it means. 

Stigmata is a powerful symbol of both suffering and love. The suffering of the stigmata is associated with the crucifixion of Jesus who died a horrible death on the cross. In his dying, Jesus experienced our human suffering and the suffering of our world: the injury, illness and death of people, species and planet. This is a reality that we know in our world today. However, stigmata is also about love. One way of understanding Jesus’ death is as the pouring out of God’s love for the world. That Francis shared in the wounds of Jesus, reveals the depth of his love for God and his oneness with all of God’s creation. Who wouldn’t seek to ease the suffering of those nearest and dearest to us? Who isn’t moved by the suffering of others? Who doesn’t grieve on the death of a loved one? We feel grief, sorrow and compassion for others because we know what it means to suffer and because we know what it means to love.

Feast Day Mass

To mark the College’s Feast Day next Friday 15 September, we look forward to welcoming Fr Harry Chan to celebrate Mass with us. Fr Harry has recently returned to Kedron from his sabbatical. He is looking forward to celebrating our Feast Day with us and sharing some stories from his travels. I would like to remind students and families of the special place the celebration of Mass has within the Catholic tradition. It is a profound encounter with Jesus that ought to transform us to better people and to sustain us in making the world a better place for all. Full participation and due reverence is expected. All students are expected to be present at school by 8.30am for roll call.

Cultural Festival 

Our Cultural Festival is a celebration of the Arts at the College. Over the past couple of months, students have been showcasing their talents by designing, singing, dancing and performing. The finalists will feature at our Cultural Festival showcase next Friday afternoon. Students will also have the chance to show their baked wares as part of our cake decorating competition and to participate in a number of activities on the day including weaving, dancing, painting workshops, face painting, tree planting, sport activities, board games, a screening of the movie Moana, just to name a few! Students are also encouraged to add to their House points total for the Cultural Festival trophy by participating in the Costume Parade. Students or student groups are invited to dress in costume based on our Cultural Festival theme: Friday Night Fever.

Another highlight to this day is the Battle of Houses, our annual interhouse dance competition. Since Term 2, Heads of House and House Captains have been planning their House dances and, since the start of this term, leading rehearsals. I extend my appreciation to them, and to all staff and students, for their enthusiasm and commitment. It will be wonderful to see the fruits of all our labours on show next Friday.

Please note, Cultural Festival is a staff and student event only. We are not able to accommodate parents/carers or members of the public. We just don’t have the space!

Uniform for Feast Day and Cultural Festival

All students are to wear their College sports uniform (including hat) to and from school. Accessories in House colours and/or costumes are to be brought to school and changed into after the start of the main break (from 10.15am).

Food Options for Feast Day and Cultural Festival

There will be a number of food and drink options for students to purchase at Cultural Festival. 

Food trucks will be selling burger meal deals ($15); burgers ($12), hot chips ($6), soft drinks ($3), milkshakes ($8.50; $14), bubble tea ($6, $8 & $10), slushies ($5 - $7.50), donuts ($2.50) and ice creams ($5 - $9). La Cucina will be selling pizzas ($4.50), garlic bread ($2.50) and soft drinks ($2.50). 

A sausage sizzle ($2.50) will also be available in La Foresta. 

Payment by cash or EFTPOS at food truck; by student card or EFTPOS at La Cucina; and by cash or student card at the Sausage Sizzle.

Graceful Lights at Cultural Festival

Grace Reise will be holding a stall at Cultural Festival selling beautiful candles from Graceful Lights ($20). This is a wonderful opportunity for students to purchase a gift for someone special or perhaps to start Christmas shopping early. Payment by cash or EFTPOS.

Donut Day

Thank you to everyone who supported our Donut Day on Thursday 17 August. We raised over $700 for charity.

Encounter Youth

Encounter Youth is a faith-based youth group for secondary school students. Students meet from 6.30 – 8.30pm every Thursday at Little Flower Parish Hall, Turner Road, Kedron. All are welcome.