Year 7 Belonging Day

On Thursday 25 February, Year 7 participated in personal development, community building and faith-based activities in their House groups moving around the Kildare precinct. Students rotated through a series of six activities presented by the College Academic Care and Wellbeing Coordinators, Year 10 Peer Support Leaders, Susan Todd and Susan Bradley from The Mount Erin Heritage Centre, Sisters Carmel Wallis and Kaye Bryan from Erin Earth, Rachel Smith, our College Counsellor and emerging leaders from our local Wiradjuri community, Year 10 Kildare students, Ella and Sebastian McCorry. 

The Year 7 Belonging Day challenged and inspired students to communicate effectively while respecting others as Christians in continuing the legacy of our Founders, Blessed Edmund Rice and Nano Nagle and our House Peace Patrons; St Benedicta, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, St Oscar Romero and St Mother Teresa. Stewardship of creation was explored through a history of the schools on the Kildare site and a time of reflection at Erin Earth, while Seb and Ella helped students understand the difference between a Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country through weaving an image of goanna (gugaa), the totem of Wiradjuri.

The students engaged enthusiastically in the activities and were a credit to themselves and to Kildare Catholic College. The Year 10 Peer Support Leaders embraced their roles in supporting and encouraging students to be involved and make the most of each session.

We ended the day with a Liturgy - a celebration of our work together, facilitated by the Year 10 Peer Support Leaders. Year 7, who will be Year 12 2026,  made a commitment to live the values of our Founders and House Patrons and most importantly “Live the Truth”.

Thank you to the Year 10 Peer Support Leaders - Arshpreet Singh, Charlie McKenzie, Tyrone Vatibuli, Myles Guy, Will Field, Lara Knox, Ruby Holmes, Ella Harriot, Sienna O’Brien, Rohan Cummins, Lucy Mackay, Eddie Blanchard, Abbey Anderson, Tom Stephens, Eamon Kurta, Siobhan Sweeney, Rhys Maynard, Jacob Mania, Ella and Sebastian McCorry.

Thank you to the staff Ms Reynolds, Mr Hull, Mrs McCartan, Miss Toole, Mrs Garrod, Ms Virgona, Mr Price, Mr Colenso, Mr Gaffney, Mr Holbrook, Ms O’Brien, Mr McTaggart, Miss Fahey and Mr Conn who supported our expert presenters.

A huge thank you to Mrs Potts and Mr Lugton and Mr Guymer and his maintenance team for keeping us nourished and cool on the day.

It was a privilege to host our guests - Susan Todd, Susan Bradley, Sister Carmel Wallis and Gus (well loved dog), Sister Kaye Bryan and Rachel Smith who, through their wisdom, gave authenticity to our day.

Christine Savage | Leader of Mission