Faith & Mission Report

Over the last few months, the community of PCW have bonded together in solidarity as we deal with the closure of our beloved school.  In times of adversity, it is heartening to see how we have been a support of strength and compassion to each other as we grapple with this grief.  I have seen what it means to be part of Presentation College Windsor.  It is a community of welcome, inclusion, hospitality, faith, compassion, justice, learning and love.  It reflects the mission of Jesus and the legacy left to us by Nano Nagle.  It is something embedded in us, and something that will stay with us as we move beyond the gates of PCW.

As we begin the sad farewell of students and staff this year and into next year, I pray that we continue to be a light of love for each other; a light of compassion to those who society has forgotten; a light of service to the most vulnerable in our society; a light of hope for our world.  I ask for God’s blessing on all whose journey sends them off in different directions.  Remember that we must always strive to go ‘one step beyond’, letting love light the way from our hearts, into the world.

Wishing all a safe and restful holiday.

Josie Dilettoso

Director of Faith & Mission

Reflections of the PCW Winter Sleepout

Participating in the winter sleepout was a really eye opening experience.  As Year 12s slept on the front lawn in tents, we got to experience the adverse weather and rough conditions in which a person without a home may face every night.  Throughout the night we heard from two speakers who shared their experiences with being homeless and it really brought me to the reality on how easy it is to become homeless and how rough it really is without support structures in place.  It made me appreciate my family and friends who are there for me.  

Sera Hasanoglu

Year 12 Student

I signed up for the winter sleepout hoping to get a sense of reality of the homeless population of Australia, knowing that I would be out of my comfort zone and extra tired Friday morning for SCSA lacrosse.  The first activity of the night was a brainstorm activity to get us thinking about homelessness and how much we value the safety and comfort of our own homes.  Next, we volunteered to take part in an activity that ranked different character profiles based on income, housing, occupation and other personal factors.  My character was a middle-aged, Australian woman, who ended up in the middle of the group as she had a place to call home, but was still earning under the minimum wage, with no partner and two children.  After the activity, we enjoyed soup and bread for dinner before making our way to the drama room to listen to two guest speakers, Agum and Sammy.  Agum shared her story of coming to Australia, fleeing her arranged marriage as a pregnant 15 year old and her journey with homelessness.  Sammy then shared with us his story of following the wrong crowd and ending up homeless and kicked out by his parents.  Both stories definitely made me realise how lucky I am to have a place to call home and a supportive family, as well as teaching me that not all homeless people are living on the streets, the majority are in temporary accommodation.  After sharing his story, Sammy performed a rap to us about homelessness and his journey, which was definitely a highlight of the night as he involved the audience.

Carla Torre

Year 11 Student