Principal's Message

As we come to the three quarter mark of the school year, the end of Term 3, I must acknowledge the efforts of all members of our community. We have continually observed your spirit of cooperation, collegiality, and creativity as you have positively coped with the challenges before you. Remote learning classrooms, virtual information nights and school tours, "google meet" parent/student/teacher conferences and an online Brigidine Celebration Day have all been organised and implemented successfully. This would not have possible without the commitment and good nature of students, families and staff. It has been impressive to see the understanding and tolerance by all of you as we have moved forward and continued to provide an educational program to be proud of. You all deserve some good to come out of this ordeal and I believe that in time you will be rewarded for your strength in giving witness to the Kildare Ministries Core Values. I pray that you and families stay well and safe over the term break and you experienced many joyful experiences.

Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2020-2021

The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2020-21, To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today, was released ahead of the Church’s Social Justice Sunday which was celebrated on August 30 this year. Given the challenges we are all facing due to the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the issue of mental health is very much high in people’s minds. It is a timely message as understanding mental health will help us to be aware of those who need our support. The Statement encourages us all to reject stigmatisation, to work for the transformation of social determinants of mental ill-health, and to call for policies and service provision that meets the needs of the poorest and most marginalised members of our community.

‘Our society tends to push away or draw away from those who confront us with our frailties and limitations. This is not the way of Jesus,’ writes Bishop Terry Brady, the Bishop Delegate for Social Justice. ‘This is a timely message in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic is affecting many members of our parishes, schools and communities,’ Bishop Brady said.

‘The personal feelings of anxiety and despair we all share at this time provide an opportunity to become more aware and active in fostering the mental health of all. Understanding mental health will help us to be aware of those who most need our support.’ The Statement encourages parishes and local communities to be places of welcome and inclusion, overcoming the barriers and stigma often faced by people experiencing mental ill-health. It demands the commitment of governments and policy-makers to prevent so many people falling through the cracks of the mental health system.

It also calls for the nation’s commitment to addressing those policies that exacerbate the already precarious circumstances of First Australians and refugees and asylum-seekers. ‘Our society tends to push away or draw away from those who confront us with our frailties and limitations. This is not the way of Jesus,’ Bishop Brady said. ‘Let us follow him in drawing near to those who are experiencing mental ill-health and acknowledge that they are members of the Body of Christ – “they” are part of “us”. Only then can we say “we are all in this together”. Only then can we “live life to the full”.’

The 2020-2021 Social Justice Statement, To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today can be downloaded from the Office for Social Justice website. You are encouraged to read the Statement, and to join with us in praying for those impacted by mental illness, and for those who provide much-needed support and care to those impacted by mental illness.

Raymond Pisani

Principal