Principal's Report
The Lenten Season
At the outset of the Lenten Season on Ash Wednesday, Father Chris spoke at length regarding the need for all young Catholics to understand that the true intention of Lent is to develop a closer relationship with our Lord. He emphasised that there are three practices that will bring us closer to Jesus; Almsgiving, Fasting and Prayer. That said, it can sometimes be difficult to actually think beyond the simplistic ‘giving up chocolate’ idea or donating to charity. In my reflection time this week I came across a useful online resource from Loyola Press that highlights some creative Lenten practices that might be useful in our own local context. While the suggestions have a slight American flavour there is some food for thought and spiritual nourishment in the Lenten season.
Favourite Lenten Practices
From the breakfast table to the car seat, from writing to drawing, from giving something up to doing something more . . . let the wisdom and spirit of these stories inspire you in your own Lenten journey.
Around the Breakfast Table
One of my best Lenten practices began when my children were in elementary school and I was a working parent. It seemed as though we were struggling to find time to eat dinner as a family and this was greatly disturbing me. I decided that if we were unable to hold the dinner hour sacred due to work schedules and after school activities, I would instead hold the breakfast hour sacred. I made sure to get up each morning during Lent just a little earlier so that I could not only provide breakfast for my family but actually sit together, pray our meal prayer and begin each day on a happy note. It began in Lent and didn’t end until my children went off to college many years later. I learned that Lenten habits could carry far off into the future with my family. The impact was dramatic in that each day was started with a prayer and positive attitudes. Breakfast became and remains one of our favorite rituals of the day. Roberta, IL
Drawing a Prayer
I took time every day to draw in a sketchbook. I called the time my “God Time.” I wanted to make each day of Lent special by taking time to reflect on God and my relationship to God. Barbara, OH
My Lenten Jar
I always have nice things that I’d like to do, but never seem to make time to get to: write a letter to a friend, visit a lonely person, call a distant friend. At the beginning of Lent, I write down 40 plus tasks, one per little slip of paper, and toss them in a jar. Then, each morning of Lent, I pull one out and do the task written there. It teaches me that I like surprises and variety in my Lenten practices. For me, this is a simple way to concentrate on the disciplines of giving alms and doing good for others. Mark G., KS
Dialling into God
Instead of listening to music or talk back radio in my car, I decided to take that time for prayer and to listen to God. At first, it was a difficult transition; the silence was deafening. But soon, I began to enjoy the quiet time. I prayed for people who I knew needed my prayers. I prayed for my family and myself. I also thanked God for my many blessings. I found that I became much more calm and peaceful during this time. This reflective time grounded and centred me to do my best. Donna, NC
A Note a Day
Each day of Lent, through prayer, a name surfaces of a person who has had an impact on my life in some way. I then take the time to write a handwritten note to that person. I have been amazed at the people that have surfaced: from my 3rd grade teacher; to a cousin; to a priest; to a high school student who had written me a note after a presentation I gave at her school. I send the notes without the expectation of a response. Yet, I have received several emails and notes stating how much it meant to the person. Life is too short — we see that with Jesus — but, we have the opportunity to share our thoughts with those who have made an impact (some don’t even know it, until they receive the note). This embodies the idea of Lent: prayer—praying for a specific person each day; fasting—fasting from negative thoughts; and almsgiving—sending a note with affirmations is a great gift to give. Suzanne, NY
Reflection Questions:
How do you live out in your own life the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving?
What have you learned about yourself, your faith, and God through your own Lenten practices?
Open Day
Thank you to all the staff and students who contributed to another wonderful Open Day last week. As I have said many times before the strength of the McCarthy community lies in its people. It is never about buildings and resources. It is about the proud and talented people who study and work here. Our Year 11 and 12 students who acted as Tour Guides were impeccably dressed and impressive in their capacity to welcome and inform our potential new families. I similarly publicly commend the teaching and support staff for their expert preparation and presentation of our superb learning facilities.
Audit
The Education Act 1990 sets the requirements for registered and accredited non-government schools in NSW. Under the Act, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for monitoring the compliance of non-government schools with the registration and accreditation requirements of the Act.
McCarthy Catholic College is audited against these compliance standards on a 5-year cycle the last of which occurred in 2014. Consequently, next Thursday 28 March the College will host representatives from NESA and the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) to complete the scheduled Audit. Much work has gone into preparing a full and transparent interrogation of our policies and procedures by many teaching and support staff and I deeply thank them for their hard work and professionalism.
Languages Day
At the time of writing the annual Languages Day is well underway with Food Stalls, Languages Assembly and a lunchtime Soccer game between teams representing Italy and France. Mrs Monet and Mr Rindo have worked hard for many weeks in partnership with the students who study French and Italian to encourage a love and learning of languages. A full report will appear in the next newsletter.
Bullying No Way Day
Thank you to our Counsellors, Mrs Aimee Cook and Mrs Tamara Shoemark and our Pastoral Support Officer, Mrs Lesley O’Shea, for their initiative and hard work in providing an opportunity for our students to celebrate the importance of saying NO to Bullying. While lots of fun was had with fairy bread, egg and spoon Races and photo booths, the key message of standing up against bullying behaviours was strongly emphasized. Big thanks also to the representatives from Headspace who supported such an important day.
Staffing
It is with significant sadness that I announce the resignation of Mrs Deb Wade who resigns from the Administration Officer role after 14 years of dedicated service. While she fulfilled many roles in the office, her work in coordinating the College calendar and preparing the Newsletter demonstrated a practised eye for detail and a deep knowledge of the McCarthy routines over many years. We wish her well as she moves ‘home’ to Bingara. On the back of recent advertisements and interviews for the Enrolment Officer role, Deb’s role will be filled from the shortlist pool. I also congratulate and welcome Mrs Belinda Gleeson-Barker to the Enrolment Officer role from 1 April. We look forward to her joining the rest of our hard working office staff.
Finally, I extend a public welcome to Mr Patrick Bradbery who joins us on a contract to teach Mathematics. As an ex-student of McCarthy, Patrick understands the work ethic required to support effective learning for our young mathematicians.
Parent Information Night - Raising Teenagers in a Hypersexual Digital World
As many parents and teachers can attest, social media can and does cause significant distress and harm when used in the wrong way. Issues such as sexting and exposure to pornography are examples of disturbing online experiences that are not only illegal but can have a deep psychological impact on both boys and girls in their formative and teenage years. The key to dealing with such types of inappropriate behaviour is education for both young people and their parents on responsible and ethical use of technology.
As a 5-year cross-Diocese investment that began in 2018, an organisation called ‘Real Talk’ will again be conducting Parent Information Nights and Year Level workshops across the schools in the Diocese to educate