Principal News
Dear Parents, Students and Friends
This has been another busy two weeks at the College with NAPLAN Online for Year 7 and 9 students, Year 12 Parent/Student/Teacher meetings, staff Professional learning meetings, representative sport, Athletics Carnival, College Feast Day Mass and Activities, vaccinations and fundraising for worthwhile causes. Just a normal couple of weeks really, but it highlights the “busyness” of students and staff in a thriving learning environment!
Vision
Marian Catholic College is a vibrant faith community engaging with Jesus and His message. Embracing Mary’s way of courageous acceptance, we fulfil Christ’s promise of ‘The Way, The Truth and The Life’ in a dynamic and diverse learning environment.
Developing a positive school culture means that all elements of a catholic learning community as expressed in it’s Vision and Mission should be lived out as often as possible. In essence Marian Catholic College should be an expression of the best a human can be. Pope Paul VI once said, “Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying! Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day! Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do. Do it now! There are only so many tomorrows!” Now, I would never be one to question a pope, but might I be as bold to suggest that whatever you do should be life giving and to the betterment of self and others...being the best expression of yourself is living life to the full.
When Marian Catholic College and all of us who are connected to it are doing this, we are living our motto, “The Way, The Truth, The Life”. A worthy quest I am sure you agree!
The College welcomes many visitors here today, May 24 as it is our Annual Feast Day! Representatives of the Sisters of Mercy, NSW Director of Marist Schools Australia, Mr John Robinson, ex-teachers and students, parents and friends of Marian. It is a time to remember connections with our College Founders, honour their heritage and also celebrate our achievements and ask for God to bless our ongoing work in fulfilling God’s Mission. All this and have some fun along the way! My thanks to the staff and students who participated strongly in making our day so enjoyable. The representatives of the Mercy Sisters and Marist Brothers presented certificates of service to staff who have served the College for a significant time.
Next week is National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June) The theme this year is Grounded in Truth – Walk Together with Courage. “To foster positive race relations, the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader community must be grounded in a foundation of truth. Whether you’re engaging in challenging conversations or unlearning and relearning what you know, this journey requires all of us to walk together with courage.”-Reconciliation Australia.
A Brief History of NRW
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples) and was supported by Australia's major faith communities. In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia's first NRW. In 2000, Reconciliation Australia was established to continue to provide national leadership on reconciliation. In the same year, approximately 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of NRW, to show their support for reconciliation.
Peace and Best wishes
Principal