Compassion at Marian College Ararat

At times over the last two years, I must admit that there have been moments of compassion fatigue, when either exhaustion or the roller-coaster ride of lockdowns has drained the energy a little.  But last Friday at Marian was another perfect reminder of how the moments of care and compassion in our communities are food for the soul. 

The annual Fred Hyde Day at Marian College is something very special.  Each year, for the last ten years, the staff and students have raised funds to support a kindergarten located in the remote Bhola Islands in southern Bangladesh. This island is plagued by devastating flooding, which hit again this year.  There is no-job keeper or social security payments, and often the roads to school are washed away.  Just when you think life has been difficult, you meet someone who helps you gain perspective. 

The highlight of our Fred Hyde Day is the Marian’s Got Talent show in the afternoon.  Every year a group of courageous students from every age level put their trust in the audience and provide us all with laughter and joy.   The support for every student performer from highly talented to just brave is amazing.  Once again, this year the staff and students did not disappoint and easily raised the funds to support Fred Hyde’s kindergarten for another year.  I am most grateful to our Year 12 students for their organization for this wonderful event.  Thanks also to local businesses and staff for their generous donations.  Today, Fred Hyde’s team has helped to educate more than 100,000 children in local schools, built through hard work and grit by one very generous man and his team.  Fred passed away some years back but his legacy continues. 

The Year of Compassion for our Applied Learning students focused on the impact of WW 1 and WW 11, and the impact of this on our nation and local region.   Students in Year 11 and 12 considered the loss of lives, the effect on women and work, rationing, and the shame of the ‘White Feather’.  This study culminated in the students creating their own poppy to commemorate the sacrifice of our people who served.  The Poppy Project was donated to the local RSL.

Throughout Term 2 and 3, the Year 11’s completed a unit working on Youth Homelessness - in particular exploring our local community. Students are required to raise awareness of this issue as well as making connections with a local organisation to offer ways to help. This year, they have formed a relationship with St Vincent de Paul’s and will raise funds through a school BBQ and a staff High Tea to then create much needed ‘Brekky Packs’ for St Vincent de Paul’s.

I am very proud of the work we do together for the students in our care.  The Sisters and others who have walked before us left a lasting legacy of how we should welcome and support, with a compassionate heart.   At the centre of conversations there is real empathy, compassion and care for the many students who walk through our doors, with different personalities, needs, talents, and dreams.  I know our staff are compassionate and generous in their care of students, families and each other.  

Mrs Carmel Barker    

My First Year as a Teacher at Marian College

Compassion has forever been a core value in which I uphold, enact and facilitate in others, and this year's focus on its purpose and importance has been truly inspiring. Through a lens of compassion, I have been fortunate enough to engage in meaningful conversations with a variety of people about ways in which we can help others, and why it is integral to embody an empathetic response to those whom we encounter that need our help. I have witnessed compassion within our school community, within our wider community and increased my personal awareness of the ways in which I demonstrate and contribute towards making other's lives better, in as great of a capacity as I can.   

Ms Emma Rusden