Deputy Principal - Identity and Religious Life of the College

NAIDOC Week

This year, NAIDOC Week, a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures, will take place from Sunday 8 to Sunday 15 November.  Usually held annually in July, the celebration was rescheduled due to COVID restrictions.  The theme this year -Always Was, Always Will Be - recognises the ancient and continuing story of First Nations people in Australia.  They are spiritually and culturally connected to this country.  In marking this event, students will complete a range of activities in Home Room this week to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; at our assembly on Thursday, we will commence with a prayer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and our nation.  On Friday 13 November, we invite all students to wear a floral shirt or floral accessories (eg floral hairclips, leis, or garlands) over the college uniform or sport uniform.  Students can wear either their college or sport uniform to school and add their accessories when they arrive.  I extend to everyone, but especially our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, every best wish for NAIDOC Week. Yulugi! 

Z Club Birthing Kit Packing Day

On Tuesday, the members of the Mount Alvernia Z Club volunteered their time to pack over 600 birthing kits for Kit International (formerly known as Birthing Kits Foundation Australia).  This organisation is committed to addressing the injustices faced by women worldwide, especially those associated with pregnancy and childbirth.  It is estimated that 295,000 women die every year from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and close to 2.5 million babies die within their first month of life.  Through the provision of birthing kits, the health outcomes for women and children improve. 

The kits are simple – a sheet of black plastic, latex gloves, gauze, soap, string, and a scalpel – but they are effective in providing a more hygienic environment for childbirth in order to reduce the risk of infection.  Each kit costs $5.  The birthing kits packed by the Z Club last year were distributed to communities in the Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda.  It is a truly inspiring global action for justice.  I would like to extend my thanks to all students who contributed to our two fundraisers this year, and to the Zonta Club of Pine Rivers for their continued support and sponsorship of 400 birthing kits.  I also recognise the wonderful leadership that our Club President, Charli Riddle, and Vice President, Marley Stewart, have demonstrated throughout the year. 

Saint Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers

Currently, each Home Room is collecting gifts, food, and toiletry items for the Saint Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers.  This is an annual collection the College undertakes in support of the Saint Vincent de Paul Conference of Kedron and individuals and families in our local area who are in need at this time.  I thank all families who have contributed to the collection so far.  The collection will be finalised in the last week of term. 

Encounter Program

The next Encounter evening will be held this Sunday, 8 November at Little Flower Church, Turner Road, from 6.30 to 8.30pm.  If students would like to attend, they will need to register online by using the QR Code on the flyer attached.  Encounter Kedron is a partnership between Kedron Parish, Mount Alvernia College, and Padua College, that is designed to engage young people with the Catholic faith in a way that is relevant, life giving, and compelling. 

Richard Rogusz