A Word from the Principal
Courage. As one student put it - “You don’t have to be a hero to have courage, because when you are yourself, you already have courage”. What is this attribute all about? Often when I am asked to speak about courage I refer to the amazing Sisters of Charity who travelled half a world away from their families to undertake the care of those exiled to a foreign land. They did it with no judgement or thought of themselves. The journey would not have been an easy one, with sea sickness and scurvy they travelled in ships made to carry convicts and cargo. Foolhardy some might say - courageous is a word I would use to describe them. Born with this courage, they acted on faith and hope that they would not only survive, but might make life just that bit easier for those they would help.
Throughout history, we acknowledge and remember those many people who show courage. A young man taking on a tank, explorers who navigate the unknown, the first lunar landing, an African American pastor who fights for equality, a man incarcerated for speaking his mind. All heroes and all showing courage in the face of great adversity. Did they suddenly develop courage, did it just appear on demand? Was it cultivated by those around them, encouraged and nurtured? Or was it just as young Lisa said? Are you born with courage? Does it already exist in each of us? Do we just need to have hope and faith and allow it to come out?
Courage - a value that we know we will all need at some time. Courage to undergo cancer treatment, to present to a large group, to make the speech, to smile at a stranger, to start a new school, to return to school after a substantial break, to start a new job, to drive for the first time. All these things require our innate courage to swallow the butterflies and dive in. The Sisters of Charity did have courage. Jesus had courage. You have courage. What you might be missing is the confidence to take this courage and use it.
As we come up to Pentecost, it is worth remembering that the disciples too were afraid and on Pentecost they received the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit. These gifts were already in each of them, the Holy Spirit just gave them the strength and the confidence to use these gifts. We ask the Holy Spirit to also give us the confidence to use the gifts of God that we all have. These gifts will make the world a better place, they will spread kindness and compassion.
Pentecost Prayer by Joan Chittister, OSB
The Holy Spirit embodies the life force of the universe, the power of God,
the animating energy present in all things and captured by none.
On this great feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit of God,
I invite you to pray with me:
May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit bring fire to the earth
so that the presence of God
may be seen
in a new light,
in new places,
in new ways.
May our own hearts burst into flame
so that no obstacle,
no matter how great,
ever obstructs the message
of the God within each of us.
May we come to trust the Word of God in our heart,
to speak it with courage,
to follow it faithfully
and to fan it to flame in others.
Give me, Great God,
a sense of the Breath of Spirit
within me as I…
Community Messages
College Board
The College is looking for interested parents to "step" into the rewarding position of Board member. If you are interested in joining, and have the skills to provide financial guidance, please let me know. Expressions of Interest can be submitted by completing the attached form by Friday 22 May.
Parent Pick up and Drop offs
Just a reminder, that during COVID-19 we ask parents and carers to please refrain from entering the school grounds. We are hoping that this will be an interim measure to support adult social distancing requirements.
For more information on the Return to School, please click on the link below.
Staffing
This week we farewell Alicia Jones on her maternity leave. The College is very excited at the prospect of welcoming a new addition to the Jones household and the College community. I wish Alicia, Ben and young Archer the best with the impending birth of their baby. May God bless the family.
Fiona Nolan
Principal