Principal's Update

Always Was, Always Will Be

NAIDOC Week is typically celebrated in July each year; however, due to COVID-19, it was rescheduled to 8-15 November.  NAIDOC 2020 invites all Australians to embrace the true history of this country – a history which dates back thousands of generations to the very first footprints on this continent which belonged to First Nations peoples. It is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people, and participate in a range of activities and to support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Our Living Justice Leaders have raised awareness about NAIDOC Week and celebrated the history, culture and achievements of our First Peoples through artistic displays, daily prayer and events. As a College, we continue to commit ourselves to reconciliation.   

God of all wonder, 

We pause in the busyness of our days to listen deeply to the wisdom of this land and those who belong to it. 

May our minds be open to dialogue, 

May our hearts be open to transformation and 

may our hands do the work of reconciliation. 

We ask that the Spirit accompany us on our journey of healing on these lands, seas and waterways; 

We also ask the Spirit of peace be with all those who are living a life of fear, dispossession and distress. 

We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, our brother and friend. 

Amen.

Yesterday,  as a College community, we paused to remember those who died or suffered in wars and armed conflicts. 11 November 2020 marks the 102nd anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War (1914–18). In the four years of the war more than 330,000 Australians had served overseas, and more than 60,000 of them had died. 

A Remembrance Day Service was held around our flagpole which was watched via video link by all staff and students.  Although physically separated throughout the College, we were joined together in prayer as we remembered the fallen and strengthened our resolve to live peacefully.    

As we approach these final three weeks of the school year, our students are preparing for and completing their final assessments. Although it has been a very disrupted and challenging year, our students continue to demonstrate their commitment to their own learning through their application to their studies.  We look forward to being able to share in end of year celebrations and activities together in the weeks ahead as we bring the school year to a close.

We Pray For

We ask for your prayers for members of our community and their families who have recently lost loved ones:

Maureen Kean

Mother of Bern Kean (Staff) and 

Grandmother of Josie Rees (Year 12)

Shirley Fitzsimons

Mother of Bill Fitzsimons (Staff) 

We pray that our loving God hold them gently in the palm of His hand.

Nicole Mangelsdorf

Principal