Principal's Message
Lent
The start of Lent was marked by a very moving community liturgy, inviting us all into this period of prayer and sacrifice. Thanks to Mr Shane Taylor, Ms Renee Fleeton and the Student Executive for their preparation and leadership of our shared prayer. This link will take you to Pope Francis’ 2020 Message for Lent. In it, he expresses his ongoing teaching about mercy and its expression in our face to face interactions with the other, and through this encounter, with God.
I came across this on social media, also attributed to Pope Francis. It’s a great spin on what it means to fast this Lent, abstaining from those human actions that have the potential to distance us from God, and from each other.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the world. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality, and ensuring women’s voices are given the worth and credibility that they deserve at all levels of family, society, community and government.
Within our own Church, we have incredible role models of female leaders and protagonists throughout history, who have upheld and proclaimed God’s word, showing courage, daring, integrity and moral fortitude. Our patriarchal heritage has meant that the stories of women are not always the ones that are known well and celebrated. However, there is movement within the Church for the recognition of women’s roles more formally and to more fully integrate women’s voices into the leadership of the Church. The excerpt below is taken from the final document that resulted from the Amazonian Synod held in October 2019.
Seeing the concrete suffering of women who are victors of physical, moral and religious violence, including femicide, the Church commits to defend their rights and recognises them as protagonists and guardians of creation and of our common home. We recognise the ministry that Jesus reserved for women. It is necessary to promote the formation of women in biblical theology, systematic theology and canon law, valuing their presence in organisations and leadership within the Church environment and beyond. We want to strengthen family ties, especially for migrant women. We assure women’s place in leadership and formation.
While the wheels of change operate slowly within formal organisations, including the Church, these words offer recognition and hope for women seeking to have a place and make a contribution at the table.
Parent Conversations
It was a pleasure to welcome parents to our “Coffee Morning with the Leadership Team” on Tuesday, 3 March. The morning provided an opportunity to meet over a light breakfast, share some of the projects currently active at the College which are supporting continuous school improvement, and to hear from parents, who were able to provide feedback and ask questions. It is important that we continue to seek ways that build partnership with our families to provide the best possible learning environment and experiences for our students. I would like to thank Mrs Brigitte McDonald and Ms Donna Kellett for their work in organising this gathering. It is our plan to host further gatherings in Term 2 and Term 3.
Staff changes
Last week we farewelled Ms Carolyn Slattery as she moves onto her new role at another local school. We wish her well. In her place we welcome Mr David Lovatt who will be replacing Carolyn in her classes for the remainder of the year.