From the Principal

Werte

Wednesday was International Women’s Day, a day set aside to “celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women” as well as to press for gender parity in those parts of the world where it does not yet exist. 

When I first began teaching, and even up to my first 10 years of teaching, I was surrounded by women who had been forced to resign when they became pregnant as there was no maternity leave. These women were then in their forties to fifties after doing important work raising their children trying to re-enter a very tough market for permanent full-time employment. They had little job security and no super. I’m grateful to the women who went before me and established the rights I have today. 

So, while we take time this week to consider the contributions of women to history and culture, it’s worth considering the ways in which women shaped the history of the Bible and Christianity and continue to lead and influence the faith today. It should come as no surprise that many of the key figures of biblical history were women. 

Mary Magdalene was an important figure in the early community of Jesus’ followers. Mary Magdalene was present at some of the most significant moments of early Christian history. We read in the Gospel of Luke that she traveled with Jesus after being freed from the oppression of “seven demons,” so she probably witnessed much of Jesus’ ministry. But most notably she was present at both the crucifixion and the resurrection of her Savior.

In Matthew we hear:

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men.

'They became like dead men but not Mary M. She and the other Mary ran to tell Jesus’ followers. The risen Jesus had appeared, not to rulers and kings, nor even first of all to his male disciples, but to a woman whose love had held her at the cross and led her to the grave. Mary Magdalene, a person who had been afflicted by demons, whose testimony would not have held up in court because she was a woman, was the first witness of the resurrection. Once again, God had revealed himself to the lowly, and it would only be the humble whose hearing was sharp enough to perceive the message of his love.' - Women of the Bible, Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda.

On Wednesday two of our leaders Abiah and Taylor accompanied Miss Nertney and I to the Town Council International Women's Day morning tea and leadership lecture. We heard from several female leaders including last year's Young Australian of the Year Sizol Fuyana, a 22-year-old whose pathway was rocky: she was suspended from school 38 times. She decided to take accountability for her behaviour and the causes behind it and work on herself, and she is now studying law and runs a successful business working with young people who are in detention. She is planning on visiting us later in the year. 

Finally, thanks to all the women in our community for the contributions you make. Special mention to staff often multitasking and raising families while teaching our future. 

Mrs Lisa Goldsworthy

International Women's Day Morning Tea and Leadership Lecture

Today me and Abiah got the chance to go down to the Town Council and attend a Women's Day panel. We listened to lots of amazing women's speeches. There was one specific lady who stood out to me and her name was Sizol. One part of her speech that I really enjoyed was when she talked about how when she was younger she was bullied. When she got older bullying actually helped her start an amazing business and that every woman is capable of anything.

Taylor - Year 6

Today Taylor and I went to the Town Council so that we could attend a speech and morning tea event. We went with Miss Nertney and Mrs Goldsworthy. When we got there, we listened to some stories of brave and courageous women who found their inner voice. Once it had ended there was a morning tea set up for all who came. We got a chance to talk with all the amazing women there and it was an amazing opportunity.

Abiah - Year 6