Dear Parents and Carers

“By embracing these paradoxes and confronting these conflicts, the person of faith, whether inspired by Jesus, Mohammed or Buddha, is able to live an engaged life of faith. I am able to commit myself to others, in love and justice. I am able to be open to reconciling, or at least being reconciled to, the previously irreconcilable. I am able to afford dignity to all others in the human family, no matter what their distinguishing marks, and regardless of their competencies, achievements or potentialities. I am able to surrender myself to that which is beyond my senses. I am able to commit myself to the stewardship of all creation.”

Frank Brennan SJ, ‘Handing on the Faith’

Welcome to Term 4! I trust that your child or children had a wonderful school holiday and that you too enjoyed something of a break, or at least a change in routine. It has been excellent to have all the students back at school.

Yesterday, members of the Leadership Team gathered to begin the process of writing our 2024 Annual Improvement Plan. Such days require sustained conversation and attention to data, lived experience, and the needs of the school community and the wider community to which we belong. We began the day by reflecting on an essay written by Frank Brennan, the Australian Jesuit priest, who has written much on social and political issues, as they find expression in Australian public life. The quote above comes from a speech called ‘Handing on the Faith’, he gave to a gathering of teachers 10 years ago, in the Catholic archdiocese of Sandhurst (Victoria). The essay was an excellent contextualization of the mission and vocation of Sts Peter and Paul and it helped the LT set its compass for the day’s work. The 2024 AIP is in its infancy, and I look forward to sharing the growth and final version of the plan, before the end of the year.

Pastoral Letter – Archbishop Prowse

This Saturday, the country is asked to vote in a referendum involving a change in the Australian Constitution that recognises our Indigenous peoples and the establishment of a Voice to Parliament. Archbishop Prowse has written a pastoral letter on this issue: Pastoral letter: Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum - Catholic Voice

Fr Brian McCoy SJ has also written an article in a recent online edition of Eureka Street. I knew Brian very well in my younger years. He was one of two Jesuits living at Balgo in the very eastern desert region of the Kimberley, Western Australia. At the time, I lived at Billiluna, where I first cut my teeth as a teacher, about an hour’s drive from Brian. Like Balgo, Billiluna is an Aboriginal community. Other than the period he spent as Provincial of the Jesuits, Brian has spent his entire life ministering to Indigenous peoples. He brings wisdom, compassion and insight to all that he writes: Our country is hurting (eurekastreet.com.au)

Mini Maths Mornings

The excellent work begun by Anna Williams continues this term, with Sarah Walsh and Sarah Kennelly both running Mini-Maths Mornings, for K-2 parents and their children, each Tuesday morning. Sarah and Sarah are presenting creative and engaging ways to teach young students foundational Maths concepts, with the particular use of concrete materials. My thanks to Sarah and Sarah for their excellent work.

Boorowa Sports Carnival

A reminder for parents that next Friday week is the Boorowa Sports Carnival, with a number of our older students attending. Both Netball and Touch Football feature and it will be a great day for all students who are playing on the day. My thanks to Luke Gubler and Sarah Walsh for organising the day and making it happen.

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge

Next Tuesday, Amanda Basedow, our librarian and Acting Assistant Principal, is attending a ceremony at the National Library, as our school is part of a small number that have been recognized for excellence in reading, in the CMRC. Attending with Amanda are Abigail B, Chiara C and Avanthika J. My thanks to Amanda for coordinating the school’s involvement in the CMRC, and to all students for their great reading.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal