Catholic Identity & Mission News

It’s just about time to celebrate Catholic Education Week in the Diocese of Sale! “This year’s theme is, Catholic Schools- Places of Encounter. ‘Let the Words You Speak Always Be Full of Grace,’ based on the Bible Scripture, Colossians 4:6.

Mr Paul Velten, the Director of Catholic Education in Sale says, “This message reflects our commitment to promoting kindness, respect, and compassion in our schools and communities. Catholic schools are more than just buildings where students come to learn. They are Places of Encounter where students can grow academically, spiritually and personally.”

“The ‘Speak with Grace‘ theme aims to encourage students and school communities to use their words to build up others, to speak out against injustice, and to spread love and hope in the world. Our Catholic schools strive to be welcoming, supportive and inclusive places where children can thrive.”

We have many plans to celebrate the riches of a Catholic education through information and activities throughout the next week. Our Liturgy Captains, Scarlett Bastow and Abigail Muigai have prepared (and filmed!) a Pastoral lesson for students for this Tuesday. They discuss some ideas about what makes a Catholic Education ‘Catholic’ including the importance of Catholic Social Teaching in forming our community’s values, vision and actions. Making connection to Reconciliation Week and the Uluru Statement From The Heart, the recognition of voice and speaking with grace is a very timely one.* 

A Catholic Education should provide graduates with the holistic tools for them to go into the world as an informed and well-rounded citizen. Last week, our Year 10 students enjoyed their Year 10 Reflection Days where the theme was ‘Identity and Belonging’. Students were invited to consider their life journeys - past, present, and future. The Clyde North cohort enjoyed their Reflection Day on Tuesday, May 9 while Cranbourne students participated in their day on Thursday, May 11. 

One activity was where students were asked to bring an artefact, either physically or via a photo. The criterion for the artefact was that it should be something they would try to save if they had to get out of their house in a hurry! As an activity aimed at tapping into their spirituality, it was a very interesting exercise. Students brought items such as guitars, gifts from grandparents, childhood soft toys, photos and keepsakes. It was a starting point to consider what they value and why, and how it relates to the greater meaning of their identity and belonging. These were extended through activities related to their present circumstances and what they hoped for the future. All of this was placed in the context of that foundational message of God’s love and generosity paraphrased from John’s Gospel, ‘I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full’ (Jn 10:10).  It is our greatest hope that the Catholic education provided here at St Peter’s will allow students to flourish and live their lives to the full, and that is something very much worth celebrating!

*More on Catholic Education Week and Reconciliation Week in the next newsletter!

Fiona McKenna

Deputy Principal - Catholic Identity & Mission