Leader of Mission

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. 

“1 Peter 4:10”

Dearest Marian Community,

I trust we all had a restful break and ready to take on the journey of term 2.

Term 2 promises to be another eventful term with so much happening already. As I mentioned in my previous article, our College community will be extremely active with many projects this term. This term our College will be involved with I-Care Kits, NAIDOC Week, Brendan and Marcellin Feast days, and the recommencement of the class visits of our College Chaplain Fr Paul. Our College project this term is the creation of I-Care Kits to support those less fortunate than us within our community. The main objective of the I Care Kits is to provide as many homeless individuals as possible, with necessary items for personal hygiene, first aid and basic clothing items. 

Marian Catholic College for a number of years has demonstrated the generous spirit by giving to those who are less fortunate. The I-Care Kit campaign provides personal care items that are collected and given to the Linking Communities Network who ensure that the people who are homeless or at risk, are supported by assisting them to achieve or attain the basic needs in order to achieve a safe and stable life. Linking Community Networks works closely with the women's refuge, youth refuge and those who are homeless. Students can show their support by bringing in the item that has been allocated to their year group.

Each year group has been allocated the following items:

Students who are unable to donate the specific items, a donation of $5 can be made in-lieu of this and the items will be purchased on their behalf. The Community Action team will go around to each Homeroom and collect any item that is brought in by students. Our aim as a College is to create 40 kits to donate to those less fortunate, all collections of items will commence next week. 

Preparations for our College celebration of NAIDOC Week have commenced with many members of the Community Action Team working behind the scenes to bring to life this special College celebration. More information on how you can be involved will be released within the next few weeks. The theme for NAIDOC Week 2021 is Heal Country. Heal Country is explained as “calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction”. Keep a lookout for how you can be involved.

Community Action Team News:

On Wednesday the 28th of April, the Year 9 and Year 10 members of the community action team attended Elevate 2021 at PCYC. We participated in karate with Cesar, who showed us a few self-defence tips and tricks, such as elbow punching and kicking. Cesar also taught us how to appear confident in confronting situations. AFL was also a great part of the day, we learned the basics of AFL with Brock McLean and did some drills that boosted our teamwork and cooperation, and gave us a chance to talk with our teammates from other schools.

Along with sports, we also painted and did mindful colouring and meditation, which gave us insight into how to centre ourselves and release stress and worry. Everyone also contributed to a mural, and with the help of Cory McKenzie, we showcased our unity as the youth of Griffith. 

Another activity we did was creative writing, specifically, writing about gender norms and stereotypes and their impact on society. We worked with Kat Vella from Mona, a women’s magazine publisher, and we discussed our views on gender stereotypes and even tried a hand at writing our own creative pieces expressing our views on gender expectations. 

Thanks to PCYC and Headspace Griffith, as well as Mr Abdala and Mrs Lole, who accompanied us and joined in on the activities, for such a great day!

By Charles O’Sullivan - Community Action Team Media Officer 

Marian, I hope that our return to school has been a positive one, and I hope that we continue to grow and build the compassionate Marian spirit that we have been building this year.

Mr Gabriel Abdala

Acting Leader of Mission

Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living

 - Albert Einstein