The Mazenod Gazette

Principal's Post

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The dates for National Reconciliation Week remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. The theme of 2022 “Be brave, make change” is a challenge to us all to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for all. Change begins with brave actions in our daily life – where we live, work, play and socialise. We are called to take these actions to make change every day of the year, not just during National Reconciliation Week.

 

During the week several activities were conducted to educate, acknowledge and reflect upon our relationships with Indigenous Australians. Next Wednesday, St Joseph’s College Ferntree Gully will host an Indigenous Round for the Senior XVIII Football team. The social justice committee organized activities across the curriculum to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of our First Nations Peoples. We continue work with the traditional custodians of this land upon which Mazenod stands, the Bunurong people of the Kulin nation. Who long before us lived, loved and raised their children on this land.  

 

Laudato Si' Week

On 24 May, we marked the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. Pope Francis has helped Catholics to understand the connection people have to the whole of creation and that caring for the entire community of people and Earth is central to the mission. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) invites Catholic parishes and communities to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week from 16 to 24 May in acknowledgement and appreciation of the holistic approach to care for God’s creation in the Pope’s message.

 

Laudato Si’ Week helps us to hear more clearly the call to listen and learn from our collective experiences and to seek the guidance of the global community. Community resilience and empowerment together form one of the pillars of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, which is being designed to support Catholic communities as they deepen their commitment to hearing the cries of people and the planet.

 

On a practical level, Mazenod College has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning (EASL). EASL is the delivery partner for the ResourceSmart Schools (RSS) program in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne. EASL is offering the services of a qualified facilitator and assessor to assist Mazenod College to progress through the RSS program. A program to minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversity and act on climate change to benefit our school and the community. We look forward to our partnership with EASL.

 

ACC Service Awards

The Mazenod College Community congratulate the following staff- Mr Adrian Connolly, Mr Phillip Becker, Mr David May, Mr Michael Miller and Mr Ben Phibbs on receiving the 2022 Associated Catholic Colleges Services Award. The ACC has recognised staff that have contributed within their school through Co-curricular programs since 2017. Congratulations and thank you for your commitment.

 

Building Works

Building works have been progressing well this year and Stage 1 is nearing practical completion. There has been minimal delay to the program – this is mainly due to the early handover of the Stage 1B area to the contractor, which has allowed them a head start on these works. Below is a brief summary of works to date. 

Stage 1A RE Classrooms, Heritage Corridor

  • Works are nearing Practical Completion. The delivery and installation of the Lotus operable wall has been finished. 

Stage 1B New Canteen, Dining Hall, Staff Lounge, Work Area & Deck – Ancillary Block

  • Demolition works have been completed, except for the roof to be replaced (alternative non-destructive solution).
  • Wall framing and services rough-ins completed to first floor Staff Lounge area.
  • Design Enhancements: improvements are being identified by the College and design team during site walks, and then additional works are being instructed and costed. Examples include:
  • Removal of vinyl flooring to existing Dining Hall, to be replaced with epoxy flooring.
  • Refurbishment of remaining Staff toilets on the first floor.
  • Rationalisation of IT patch panels in the Main Building.
  • Plywood ceilings to Staff Lounge.

 

All the best, 

 

 

 

Dr Paul Shannon

Principal