Wonder- Brigidine College St. Ives

This year, the Kildare Ministries value of ‘Wonder’ will be a central theme in the Brigidine College St. Ives community. The emphasis on ‘wonder and awe’ will enable the students and staff to focus on the beauty and gifts of God’s creation and to consider actions like stewardship and care of the earth. Awe and wonder also extend to the many people who inspire us to act with faith and justice in the world.

In late 2020 we took time to watch the David Attenborough documentary, ‘My Life on this Planet’ as a whole school community. The story of the planet’s fragility and its subsequent degradation due to human impact and misuse forms the central theme of the movie. In Attenborough’s own lifetime the world has changed significantly for the worst and the film acts as a wake-up call for action and advocacy. This movie marked the start of our focus for 2021.

We have a new ‘Social justice and Leadership Coordinator’ role at the College this year. Skye Wacher has taken up this new role combining her gifts and talents in the area of student leadership with her passion and creativity with Social Justice. Leadership in the College will be enhanced further with the strong links to servant leadership presented by Skye and developed throughout the College. As a key member of the pastoral and wellbeing team, she will infuse the community with actions and activities based on advocacy and Living Justice for all.

We will revisit our use of resources and their recycling program in 2021. A new ‘Green team’ led by student leaders will present items at Assembly and work in conjunction with the social justice leaders to motivate the community to be more aware and to have less impact on the earth as part of God’s creation. In conjunction with the Caritas 2021 Project Compassion theme of ‘Be More’ the students will raise funds for communities in need of support in the world. On Holy Thursday, the whole community will participate in ‘Rice Day’ purchasing a small bowl of rice as an act of solidarity with the poor of the world. The canteen will not be open that day and students will cook and prepare the rice for the community with all funds raised going to Caritas Australia.

The theme of ‘Wonder’ will permeate the Founders Day celebrations in June 2021. Selected readings and specific ritual actions will enable the students and staff to tangibly reflect on the gift of creation and the beauty and awe of creation. The Year 12 Retreat in 2021 included a morning beach walk to take in the beauty of the local area in Sydney. This was then used as a theme for their Liturgy later in the Retreat, with the use of ‘Footprints’ as a reflection piece.

In many simple and deliberate ways, the College will be gently imbued with the theme of Wonder in 2021. It is hoped this focus will enrich our charism and deepen our appreciation for the earth as God’s creation.