Week 8

‘NEVER SEE A NEED WITHOUT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT’  Mary MacKillop

On Friday, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe reminded students of the significance of these words when he presented the College with the Archbishop’s Spirit Award for LifeLink. We were delighted to welcome Archbishop Costelloe to the College and, in speaking to the students, he encouraged them to ensure they ‘had the eyes to see a need’ and were prepared to do something about it.  He commended the students for their participation in the sleepout, not just for the money it raised for important social services provided by LifeLink, but also for the awareness it raises about social justice issues.

The Archbishop’s Spirit Award recognises a school's outstanding support for, and positive participation in, LifeLink Day.

It is presented to the school which comprehensively:

1. demonstrates active support for the Archbishop’s LifeLink Day initiative
2. embraces the goals of LifeLink Day; to learn about what the Church’s response to people in need is within our community, and to undertake some form of fundraising to support agencies funded through LifeLink
3. is committed to educating students on their responsibility to care for those less fortunate in our community
4. promotes an ethos of caring and compassion to students, teachers, parents and the wider community. That we all have a responsibility to show love and compassion not just on LifeLink Day, but every day. 

We are humbled to receive the LifeLink Spirit  Award for 2012 and  it will be a reminder to us that even as a small school we can work to make a difference to the lives of others and that as we grow, justice and service must continue to be at our heart.  The discomfort of one cold night is a sobering reminder to us that some people live a much harsher reality every night.

The LifeLink SleepOut is a community effort with staff, students and parents contributing to the event. I would like to make a special mention of Mrs Walmsley who has been the main organiser of the Sleep Out since its inception and who has done a great deal to ensure that the night is not just about raising money but also on reflecting on the Gospel message –

‘I was hungry and you fed me’ and on issues of social justice. 

OLIVE TREES FROM NEW NORCIA

The College has a strong connection with New Norcia - in fact the beautiful wooden cross in our Learning Resource Centre was made by the carpenter at New Norica and one of our Houses is named after Bishop Rosendo Salvado.   In 1831, four olive trees were brought from Europe to the Swan River Colony for Governor Stirling.   Over the years they grew and flourished and in 1860, 400 cuttings were cloned and then in 1866 carried on foot over seven days from the new Colony to New Norcia where Dom Rosendo Salvado planted the Monastery's first olive grove. Year 8 students saw this olive grove when they visited New Norcia last week.  

Last week Mr McKern was given 6 young olives trees which had been propogated from the trees which had been planted in new Norcia 147 years go. Mr McKern will now plant these olive trees on our College campus - a symbol of our connection with the monastic community of New Norcia.

The motto of the Benedictine community of New Norcia is Pax, meaning Peace.  Pope Paul X1 said, ‘if you want peace, work for justice’. I hope the olive trees that the New Norica community have given us will grow on this campus and will remind us that if there is to be peace in this world then each of has a responsibility to work for justice.

FATHERS’ DAY MASS

On Wednesday, we celebrated a liturgy for Fathers, remembering our fathers, grandfathers and those who have been like fathers to our young people.  The liturgy was followed by a delicious breakfast in the College Cafe.  Thank you to Mr Muller for organising the liturgy and to Mrs Lewis, Mrs Brown and the students who assisted with the preparation of breakfast.

TOURNAMENT OF MINDS

Well done to the team of College students who participated in Tournament of the Minds last weekend.  This problem solving programme encourages teams of students to think critically and creatively in addressing open-ended challenges.  Thank you to Miss Reynolds and Mrs Hodgson for their work in supporting the students to prepare for this event.  More details about this event can be found on LIFE@HCC.

COLLEGE FEAST DAY CELEBRATIONS

The College Feast Day will be celebrated on Friday 13 September – the Feast of the Holy Cross is on the 14 September.  Parents and family members are invited to join us for Mass commencing at 11.30am in the Parish Church and are also welcome to join us for the fair commencing at 12.30pm.  Money raised from the fair will go to Catholic Missions.  Students need to wear their College tracksuit with their House Shirt on Friday.  If they do not have their full College Tracksuit they need to wear their academic uniform.