Newsletter

There are things that remind us, even resound with us, regarding the past. There are our stories for instance – such as how the Sisters foundered St Aloysius – and there are tangible reminders such as historic buildings and symbols. For most times, these reminders are positive, even heart-warming, but there are also darker reminders that still unfortunately resonate – we can think of the stolen generations, of the holocaust and of killing fields of Cambodia. For many of my generation, a new war in Europe was as unthinkable as an alien race landing on Earth and intent on taking over the planet, but today we have just that, a war – the past is now the present again. We have refugees fleeing conflict and political threat, taking extreme journeys, and often dying in the process – we have kidnaps in Mexico and elsewhere, with human beings sold into slavery, all things we thought were historical with no place in today’s sophisticated world. And therefore, St Patrick’s story still resonates.

Today, Friday 17 March, is St Patrick’s Day. The majority of people perhaps associate St Patrick with the green of Ireland, and fondly recall it as the ‘most fun saint day’! But there is much more to St Patrick, and his story that binds us to the past and makes it real. He was, born into Roman England, approximately a decade or so prior to 390 AD. As perhaps a teenager, he was kidnapped, and was taken to the great slave market that was Dublin. He spent many years as a slave but eventually escaped, after which he found Christianity and became one of its great proponents. In an incredible act, he returned to Ireland and today is credited with bringing Christianity to its people.

St Patrick, and his story, reveals to us three important lessons. Firstly, good people need to be good – they need to be courageous, to ensure that the light of humanity remains bright. Secondly, despite setbacks, despite the worst things possible happening, we all have a greater purpose, and we can make an incredible difference. Thirdly, the past is never past, and the present is never new – understand the context and act accordingly. Nevertheless, happy St Patrick’s Day!

Catholic Education Week

This year, Catholic Education Week, Sunday 12 March to Sunday 19 March, Theme is, Forming lives of faith, hope and love in the light of Christ

The following is an explanation of the Catholic Education Week Theme:

Forming lives – Catholic education seeks to provide the young with the best kind of education possible, one that fosters a formation of the whole person that is deeply and enduringly humanising.

Faith, hope and love – Catholic education forms individuals with more than just skills, but with the virtues to live life as transformative agents in our communities. By cultivating a maturing of faith and the intellectual life through the modelling of good relationships, Catholic students are prepared for living fruitfully in the world.

In the light of Jesus Christ – Christ is our inspiration, the very life of our purpose as Catholic educators. Everything we do is illuminated by this.

The annual Creative Arts Exhibition of Catholic Education Week has seen two of our students receiving Awards, congratulations to Amelia Cafali, receiving the Royal Botanic Gardens Inspired by Nature Award - Secondary Winner for ‘Sunset’. Molly Mealmaker also received the Portraiture Prize Secondary Winner for ‘Self Portrait'.

Community Connect

This year we re-established Community Connect, the College's Parents and Friends Association with parents/carers of students from Years 7 -10. I would like to thank them all in advance for all the exciting contributions that they will action this year. Please click here to learn more about the Community Connect Committee and hear from Committee President, Ruth McClelland.

Mary Farah
College Principal