From our Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

There is the odd occasion where the inspiration to write an engaging newsletter piece is lacking. This week was one of those. This was until the following story was presented to me.

The Golfer – A True Story (and how this relates to Lent)

A staff member approached a student this week whilst on yard duty, they got talking. The teacher asked the following, “tell us something positive that has happened to you this week”. The student then proceeded to tell how on the weekend, whilst playing in a golf competition, he scored a hole in one. The student continued by saying that he received a prize of $1,000. When the teacher asked him what he was going to do with the money he explained that he gave $200 to one of his playing partners and $200 to the other. The staff member amazed at what he was hearing asked, “why did you do that?” His response was that there was a lot of joy in giving.”

The Lenten story is very much about giving yourself over to God in reflection, of taking stock of the year just gone, reflecting on where we can give thanks but significantly also where we have failed. Lent is associated with almsgiving, prayer and fasting (or giving up). Giving up has such negative connotations however I ask the following questions to challenge our students.

In respect to giving up, are you prepared in this Lenten season to give-up:

Social Media (and instead communicate only face to face or by talking on the phone)
Fast Foods (and instead help prepare food at home for your family)
Speaking harshly to family, peers or teachers (and instead find positive connection points with all you meet)
Chocolate (and instead donate the money to Caritas)
Negative thoughts of others (and instead find positive things to say to those that you meet)

The Lenten Journey is about searching deeply into who you are and who you want to be. It is an opportunity to begin again at the time of the risen Christ and be a better version of yourself. We only have to look at our golfing student to find inspiration and example. We are all called to experience that feeling of joy in giving

Plenary Council

In this forum, we have dedicated considerable space to the work of the Plenary Council. Students in RE classes were recently asked a number of questions. Their responses are food for thought. Some are listed below:

Questions:

1. What do you think God and young people hope for the future of the Church?

That Australia will be able to come together and worship God together as one.
I think they would like people to take the readings to heart and use them in everyday life
For everyone to get along together
That we follow in God’s footsteps and his teachings
I think God hopes that the young people can continue to spread his word throughout the world and that people will continue believing for generations to come.

2. If Jesus came to Australia today what would he want to see?

He would want to see people coming together and going to church
More people going to mass
People getting along
Respect, love, peace, positivity, justice, kindness
Everyone loving each other and living in peace and harmony,

The work of the Plenary Council has just begun but if this input is any indication there is much we can be hopeful about.

High Achieving Students-Congratulations to Shahd Mohamed

Over last weekend when we were all stuck in a heat wave Shahd Mohamed, one of our Year 10 students from Romero House competed in the Victorian State Athletics Championships in Melbourne. Shahd easily cruised to victory in the Girls Under 17 400 m. in a time of 56.36 sec. This makes her the fastest Girl in Victoria over this distance. Congratulations Shahd.

Mr Chris Black

Principal