Clonard College, Geelong
Hope - bringing a sense of purpose
Opening of the School Year Mass
We celebrated the Opening of the School Year Mass at St Mary’s Basilica on Wednesday 14 February. The Mass was a wonderful opportunity to officially welcome our new Year 7 students as well as other new students in various year levels, together with new staff members to Clonard. We also welcomed our new Parish priest from St Michaels, Fr Prakash, who was the celebrant at the Mass.
Our theme for 2018, Hope: Bringing a sense of purpose, was officially endorsed. As a College Community, we commit ourselves to ensuring that each of the six Kildare Ministries values, are articulated and acted upon, focusing on one of those values each year. It was certainly a very joyous and respectful occasion.
Catholic Leaders of Geelong Secondary Schools (CLOGSS)
College Captains from the four Catholic Colleges in Geelong: (Clonard, Sacred Heart, St Joseph’s and Saint Ignatius) met for the first time at Saint Ignatius College in Drysdale in February for their launch dinner for 2018. Following the success of the Tri-UMPH Festival last year at Clonard College, this gathering took place to commence planning and discussions for their goals for this year. We look forward to working closely with the College Leaders.
High Achievers Assembly
The 2017 High Achievers Assembly was held at the College on Monday 19 February. This occasion was a great opportunity to celebrate the best achievement of 2017 students in a range of areas. This included a re-presentation of the named award winners for 2017 which recognises the most significant contributions to leadership, school life and community service. Some of the most important awards are the Sr Justine Power Award which is given for service within the school community in the areas of liturgy or creativity that celebrates goodness and giftedness; the Sr Geraldine Sheedy Award which is awarded to a Year 12 student by the other members of the year level to recognise the young woman of the year level who best represents the Brigidine spirit; the Daniel Delany Award for initiative and leadership in perceiving a need or opportunity and acting to fulfil this need and The Kildare Ministries Award which recognises a student who helps build a community where all people are valued and where all creation is recognised as sacred, through consistently demonstrating the values of compassion, courage, hospitality, justice and wonder. Also presented were the highest ATARs and the highest scorers in VCE and VCAL studies. Our congratulations to all these high achievers.
Visit by Japanese Exchange Students
Our Year 10 students thoroughly enjoyed sharing their classes with the visiting Japanese exchange students in February – Haruka, Asuka, Miyu, Natsume and Reno. The girls shared many stories around their culture and traditions and very much enjoyed their time with us at Clonard.
Farewell to our Chaplain, Fr Gerard Keith
Sadly, we have said farewell to our Chaplain, Fr Gerard Keith, who provided spiritual guidance to the Clonard community for 17 years. Fr Gerard generously shared his wisdom and time with us, presiding at our mile-stone masses and liturgies, always ensuring that his words were targeted at the appropriate level for the students. After many years as our Chaplain, Fr Gerard is taking up a new appointment. We will miss his willingness to celebrate Eucharist with us, as well as his easy manner and ability to make the mass come alive for the students.
Student Services, Library and Learning Centre
Our new Student Services, Library and Learning Centre is nearing completion. This building will sit on our existing multipurpose court on Church Street. The ground floor will house our Library, AV and ICT departments, the majority of our book collection and a private counselling space for students.
Upstairs will be an open plan study space a Careers area, Student Leadership space as well as an AV studio. This building will bring together many services that are currently spread out over the school, as well as provide a 21st century Library with a variety of spaces. We look forward to seeing the students explore this wonderful new facility and are hopeful that it will be completed by the middle of 2018. We aim to officially name and open this building on Brigidine Day, to be held at the end of Term 3 and will be incorporated into the liturgy after which the guests will move to the Chapel for transfer of land ritual followed by opening of the new building.