Catholic Identity

Opening School Mass

St Anne's College learning community came together to celebrate our Opening Mass on February 7. It was wonderful to see our parish community join us for Mass, as we value their presence in our celebrations. Thank you to the students who helped make this such a joyful celebration by taking on roles such as reading, acknowledging Country and bringing up the Offertory. It was the first time that some of our students had participated in this way and we are proud of their efforts. We look forward to other students participating in upcoming Masses. We love that we can transform our school into a sacred space and we eagerly anticipate our next parish Mass at St Anne's College. During our Opening Mass we focused on our House names and their significance in our college. The following School of Innovation students gave us an insight into the lives of the inspiring people our Houses are named after:

Sienna Mellington - Charles House/Casa Charles (Green)

This House was named after Nora Charles, a Yorta Yorta woman. Nora was a well-known local Aboriginal midwife. She was renowned throughout the region for travelling up and down the Murray to camps

and missions to assist in the delivery of babies at a time when Aboriginal women were not permitted access to hospitals or medical professionals. Nanny Nora Charles, as she was affectionately known,

participated in the Cummeragunja walk-off and lived on ‘The Flats’ of the Goulburn River, located between Mooroopna and Shepparton, where she continued to deliver babies as a midwife. Nanny Nora would later become a resident within the town of Shepparton.

Lachi Fisher - Cooper House/Casa Cooper (Red)

This House was named after Aboriginal Elder, William Cooper. William was a social advocate founder of the Australian Aboriginal League. He was a mobilising force in the early fight for Indigenous rights. His

measured political lobbying in the 1930s was an important precursor to the more radical rights movement that followed. Cooper believed that Aboriginal people should be represented in Parliament, an outcome he continued to pursue despite disheartening results in his lifetime. In 1938, he lodged a personal protest against the treatment of European Jews in Nazi Germany. It was one of the first protests in the world against the actions of the Nazis.

Liam Hodgson - Montessori House/Casa Montessori (Blue)

This House was named after an Italian educator named Maria Montessori. She was the origin of the educational system that bears her name. Maria Montessori became the first female doctor in Italy in 1896. After graduating, Dr Maria Montessori worked in a psychiatric clinic for unfortunate children. Through Montessori’s compassion and intelligence she sought a solution to help the children. She observed that these children had no toys to manipulate or use their hands on. Maria Montessori also observed that children had a great sense of order. Montessori always emphasised respect for even the youngest of children. St Anne’s College has been inspired by Maria’s educational philosophy.

Ava Rosella - Majellan House/Casa Majellan (Yellow)

This House was named after the Patron of Mothers, known popularly today as “The Mothers’ Saint”. Saint Gerard Majella was a man of great depth and insight, prayer and kindness. He was a mystic and a reader of hearts, ever seeking to be perfectly obedient to the will of God. Unfortunately his health was never good. Pope Saint Pius X (10th) canonised Gerard on December 11, 1904. His feast day is October 16th. St Mel’s Parish, which is also the parish of St Anne’s College, has a long affinity with the Majellan Club, a dedicated group of mothers that regularly get together to support each other and build social capacity.

- Ebony Anderson, Deputy Principal and Catholic Identity Leader

Shrove Tuesday

St Anne's College staff and students will cook a pancake breakfast for our community on Shrove Tuesday, 25th February. Pancakes will be served from 8:30am at the rear of the College building. Please come and join us as we continue this tradition that was started in our inaugural year last year.

Ash Wednesday

Students and staff will travel to St Mel's Christ the King Church on Wednesday 26th February for Ash Wednesday Mass at 12 noon. Parents, family members and the community are welcome to join us.

Vision Statements

At St Anne’s College we strive to:

Develop a relationship with God that supports and nurtures our personal faith.
Create relationships that are collaborative and in partnership with students, staff, parents, parish and the wider community.
Empower individuals to grow in confidence and a willingness to explore their world: spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally and physically.
Implement a curriculum that is contemporary, focuses on the needs of the individual and celebrates the joys of new learning.

Sandpiper

If you would like to read a copy of our diocesan newspaper please use the following link

https://www.sandhurst.catholic.org.au/sandpiper/latest/14?sfns=mo