During this week of Lent, we continue to prepare ourselves to be open to God’s graces. As hope-filled people we appreciate the significance of prayer and continue to pray and act in very concrete ways. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving draw us back to God and each other.
This Sunday, is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified. Next week students across both campuses will gather for Holy Week Liturgies. Through these times of prayer, we remember Jesus’ final days. We hold in our prayers and continue to support the many women, men and children around the world who are most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice. These are the face of the suffering Christ in our time.
It is with great pleasure that the College announces the significant appointment of Mrs Melanie Van der Meer to the position of Acting Head of Mission and Identity. Mrs Van der Meer has over 18 years’ experience at the College and embodies the Dominican values of Community, Service, Prayer and Study. Mrs Van der Meer understands that our College Mission acts in conjunction with our approach to learning and supports the our Mission to educate students to achieve personal excellence, to act with justice and compassion and to embrace the future with an optimistic global vision whilst at all times answering the call to preach the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ. Mrs Van der Meer has held the previous leadership positions of Kurrawa Head of House and Acting Head of Pastoral Care in 2017.
The College has been a very busy place these past few days. Our IB Trailblazers – our first cohort of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme students in Year 11 – embodied the IB Learner Profile as well as pursuing the Dominican ideal of service at a community event last weekend. Giving up most of their weekend to benefit cancer sufferers via their Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) project, the students exceeded their fundraising target, won awards from the Cancer Council for their commitment, organisation and spirit while also enjoying a lot of fun together at the Relay for Life in Rozelle. Team captain Paula-Maree Challita said all our IB Trailblazers “were very moved by the candlelight ceremony wherein cancer sufferers addressed participants and shared their stories with us”. The Trailblazers were under the guidance of our new CAS coordinator, Ms Rita Armen.
On Tuesday, the College celebrated Harmony Day. The theme this year was Everyone Belongs!. It was a wonderful expression and celebration of cultural diversity. The activities led by the senior students were inclusive and created a sense of belonging, especially for the primary students. For our youngest Primary Years students, in Prep and Kindergarten, it was a wonderful introduction to being a member of a P-12 community. The children knew that the “big girls” were not only “across the road” but also part of their own school. I have no doubt that this week’s Harmony Day is an event that will remain with these children for years to come. The Senior students also engaged in Harmony Day activities with our Mary Bailey House students at the centre. It was truly a celebration of our entire P-12 community.
Congratulations to Renee Lewis of Year 10 who spent last weekend at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships, winning gold. She is the National Under 17 years Champion of the 3000m Run. Congratulations as well to a number of our speech students who participated in the recent Catholic Schools Debating Association competition. At the finals last Friday night both Bella Merlino and Rachel Frecker gained 4th place in their sections.
Weather played havoc today with Tildesley Tennis, hopefully the students will take to the court tomorrow and Friday. I wish them the best of luck.
I would like to wish our Year 6 students and Year 5 students a wonderful experience as they engage in their Outdoor Education Program at Tallong throughout this week and next week.
Dr Maree Herrett
