A Word from the Principal

“We can all be people of thought and action.

We can choose a fairer world.

We can advocate for the voiceless.

We can challenge the unjust.

We can respond to need where we see it.” 

Sisters of Charity

As the floods continue to wreck havoc on our country and the fighting continues to ravage the Ukrainian people it is timely to remember that our College values are Courage, Compassion and Justice.  So much senseless destruction, pain and hardship for the people around us, it is without saying, hard to witness.

Courage can be so many things to so many people - it is the action that we take in spite of the fear and anxiety we feel.  To act with courage generally means overriding one’s “Flight”, “Fight” or “Freeze” survival instinct.  Last week the Year 7 students tried abseiling and for many of them they showed courage in stepping over the edge. They did it despite their desire to flee or to freeze.

The year has started with so many students experiencing firsts - the first time they enter a dance or drama studio, the first time a student picks up a musical instrument, the first time a student answers a question in front of an audience they do not know, the first time a bunsen burner is lit.  All of these “firsts” take courage. In order to do them, a student must have the grit and determination, the willingness to step out of their comfort zone. For parents, watching on, it is often hard to let go and let our child experience the discomfort that gently persuades them to act with courage.

These firsts also help a student experience empathy towards others who might be struggling to act with courage. Students encourage one another to move past the freeze zone, to reach out and stand up.  Together so much more can be achieved.

As we watch heroic acts of strangers pulling neighbours out of the way of water, of soldiers carrying young children over broken bridges and smoking debris - we sense the courage that this takes. For us, we know how much courage it takes to stand in front of a large audience and speak - how much more courage does it take to fight against an enemy you cannot see?

Our thoughts and prayers are with those in our global community (local, state, national and international) who need the courage to continue - fighting; cleaning; speaking out; reaching out.

Thought of the Week

‘Sisters of Charity believe, as Mary Aikenhead did, that it is no use telling sick, hungry and persecuted people that God loves them: we have to take the place of that loving God and do loving, practical and unselfish things in God’s name.’

Sr Helen Clarke, Impelled by Christ’s Love: 175 Years Serving in Australia, p.22