Education In Faith

From the Director of Catholic Identity

Year 8 Retreat

The Year 8 students travelled by train to St. Augustine's Parish Hall in Yarraville for their annual Retreat Day. The focus of the retreat was on stewardship of creation. A unique feature of the retreat was that it was conducted by Year 11 Student volunteers. The day involved looking at the impact of humans on the environment and what we can do about it. The Year 8 students were led in a reflection on God's creative role in our world and how we can be stewards of creation. The day was a mix of creative, reflective and fun activities and the students were encouraged to reduce their environmental footprint during the retreat. The Year 11 students did a lot of preparation and planning and the Year 8 students responded to the activities in a positive manner.

Year 9 Retreat

On September 14, the Year 9 Retreat took place at the Williamstown Town Hall and focused on the important issue of body image and self- esteem. The students were encouraged to see themselves as "wonderfully and fearfully made" in the image and likeness of God. The students worked in small groups during the day to explore what influences our perceptions of beauty in the world. Students were invited to explore their strengths and to consider that the physical selves that they present to the world is only one part of who they are. The Year 9 students considered the quote from Psalm 139:14: "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!"

Scott McNulty

Acting Director of Catholic Identity

AJASS Pilgrimage

From October 17 - 20, Year 10 students, Laura Attana, Michelle Locsin and Thuy Vu accompanied by staff member, Ana Stafrace joined with other AJASS schools to travel to New Zealand to visit sites of significance in the story of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. 

Having the opportunity to go on this pilgrimage was one of the most special and inspiring journeys in my life.  I am so honoured, grateful and privileged to be granted this once in a lifetime chance to retrace and follow Mary MacKillop's footsteps. Seeing how she has impacted individuals, schools and communities through her actions and teachings was truly special and humbling. That through one very special woman, 5 schools across Victoria were brought together in an amazing country with a rich culture and wonderful people shows just how powerful her legacy lives on in the lives of everyone. The new friendships we formed and the old ones we strengthened were one of the many things that made this trip so memorable. This is a trip that I will never forget and a journey back to the past that has changed my future for the better. 

By Thuy Vu

The experience that was the AJASS Pilgrimage was a very eye-opening journey, we visited many places that was very important to Mary Mackillop and our to school community. We were surrounded by a group of happy and spiritually connected young people from all over Victoria, and we all will hold these precious memories close to our hearts. Each place we visited was beaming with history and culture, each of us came back home with stronger connections to our school's foundations which we can use to educate our peers. 

By Laura Attana