Principal
Opening of the School Year Mass and Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday 22 February 2023, commencing at 11.30 am in Pioneer Hall, we will be celebrating both our Opening of the School Year Mass and Ash Wednesday. These are both key events for our school and families are welcome to attend.
The Mass will be celebrated by Fr Darren Howie, Wonthaggi Parish Priest and it will be con-celebrated with Fr Stanly Devasia our new Leongatha Parish Priest. It will be great to have Darren and Stanly with us on the day.
As part of the Mass, we will mark the start of Lent with all present being anointed on their foreheads with ash. Those distributing the Ashes will do so by making the sign of the Cross and pronouncing the words: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return.” Our “ashed” foreheads remind us that we are called, in a special way in this time of preparation for Easter, to repentance and conversion. We are encouraged, during Lent, to make special efforts to be selfless and self-giving, generous to others and prayerful. Lent is a time to be especially mindful of God’s love for us as we recall the self-giving of Jesus, which culminated in his death and resurrection – which we commemorate and celebrate at Easter.
During the Mass, our Leadership Badges will be blessed and then following distributed after at the Student Leader Badge Ceremony. I congratulate in advance all College Leaders being acknowledged at that time and we will publish details in our next newsletter.
It is also important to note that we will also launch Project Compassion for this year. Project Compassion is a major fundraising program for the Catholic agency Caritas Australia, which does outstanding work toward creating a just world. More details about Project Compassion can be found at https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/ and you will also find links on that page about this very worthwhile and effective charity.
My thanks in advance to all involved in the preparation of the Mass and ceremony, in particular, Nicole Dudman and our musicians and choir led by Beth Winterhalter.
As this is a major celebration all students are expected to wear their formal summer uniform, including blazer, for the Mass. I ask that if students do need to change into their sports uniform for Health and Physical Education practical classes to plan ahead to have the correct attire at school as well. They will be able to change in the facilities adjacent to Pioneer Hall as directed by their teacher.
Achievers Assembly
On Monday, 6 February we held our Achievers Assembly which was a wonderful experience recognising our Year 12 achievers from 2022. It was great to meet Michael Malone and his daughter, Janelle, and hear about Rhonda, the family’s deep connection to the College, and why they have committed to sponsoring the generous Rhonda Malone Memorial Bursary Award. I also thank all other longstanding bursary sponsors.
During the assembly, we heard from our Class of 2022 Dux, Liam Smart. It was an outstanding speech and the text has been published in this newsletter. I encourage you to read it, and if you have time you can watch the assembly on our YouTube Channel.
I appreciate the work of everyone involved in the organisation, set-up, sound and recording which was led by Jodie Connell and supported by Laura Kew, Zac Cox, Edson Letendrie, Scott Blencowe and our Maintenance Team. Thank you as well to the presenters Jodie Connell, Laura Muranty, Nicole Dudman, Richard Muranty and John Ryan.
Year 8 Camp
I was able to visit with our Year 8s at Waratah Bay on Wednesday, 8 February and it was clear that all were enjoying the experience and the opportunity to challenge themselves and connect with peers and staff.
Thank you to Chris Spencer and Stephen Ross-Bryant for all their work in preparing and leading the camp and all the staff who have been in attendance throughout. Thanks as well to Nicole Dudman who organised and led the liturgy on Wednesday evening.
National Apology Day Anniversary: February 13
As you know last Monday, 13 February, marked the 15th anniversary of the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, particularly to the 'Stolen Generations' and their families and communities which was made in 2008 by the then Prime Minister, The Hon Dr. Kevin Rudd AC, on behalf of the nation.
I thank Laura Muranty, as part of her role as our Cultural Liaison, for sharing the questions below and the following information with staff and students :
Question: Imagine being taken from your family, your friends, and your loved ones, to a place you don’t know, to people, you don’t know, ever to speak your language, never to experience your culture, never live the life that was meant for you?
1. What are we remembering?
National Apology Day Anniversary in Australia is observed on February 13 every year in Australia. It is a national day commemorating the first-ever national apology made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008, to initialize the Australian federal government’s rehabilitation, justice, and reconciliation agenda for the Indigenous Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders people. To remember and acknowledge, the tens of thousands of Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed from their families during Australia’s assimilation era.
The affected children, known as the ‘Stolen Generations’ — estimated to be 10% to 33% of all Indigenous children between 1910 and the 1970s. They suffered significant abuse and trauma, as they had to live under harsh conditions and abusive treatment and were compelled to reject their Indigenous heritage.
100,000 children were stolen. They were starved from their culture.
2. Why should we remember?
We need to learn from our mistakes and hope nothing like this ever happens again. But most importantly, we must acknowledge our mistakes and help our Indigenous brothers and sisters heal. All around the world today, there are still many laws and policies made by governments against the fundamental human rights of many disadvantaged peoples. National Apology Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness and speak against many of these abusive policies in an attempt to seek a fairer world for all.
Staff News
Hamish Duckmanton will be away for several weeks whilst he recovers from a successful medical procedure. Whilst on leave Brydie Phillips will be teaching the majority of Hamish’s classes. Also thank you to Gerard Gordon who will be teaching Hamish's Religious Education class.
Kate Murphy has now commenced her maternity leave. We wish Kate and her family well.
We hope to instill a love of learning in our students and we do this in so many ways including role modeling what we want to achieve. Therefore, thank you and congratulation to the following staff who completed the following postgraduate studies last year:
- Jodie Connell Master of Instructional Leadership
- Nicole Dudman Master of Education - Theology
- Cate Kavanagh Master of Theological Studies
- Richard Muranty Master of Instructional Leadership
- John Ryan Master of Education - Theology
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman