SILOAM

From blindness to sight to insight

Over the past couple of days I’ve had the privilege of being at St Clement's Retreat and Conference Centre in Galong with my secondary principal colleagues for Siloam. This is a time set aside each term for principal groups to gather for faith formation and professional development. This experience is named Siloam after the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem. I was fortunate enough to visit this sacred place when visiting the Holy Land last year. The theme of Siloam this term was Truth, Goodness and Beauty and focused on the connectedness of Catholic social teachings in relation to our lived experiences. It is quite profound to have the time to reflect deeply on what spiritual truths we hold in our heart.

The pursuit of truth is a lifelong journey
that leads us closer to God.

Fr Timothy Radcliffe’s quote, “The pursuit of truth is a lifelong journey that leads us closer to God,” encapsulates the notion that seeking truth is not just a one-time endeavour, but a continual process that weaves through our entire lives. As we engage in the search for truth, whether it be in understanding the world around us or exploring our own inner selves, we are also opening ourselves up to a deeper connection with the divine. This pursuit demands humility, curiosity, and an open mind, as we unravel the mysteries of existence and seek to align ourselves with a higher purpose. In this ongoing journey towards truth, we not only expand our knowledge and understanding, but we also grow closer to the divine, experiencing a profound sense of connection and purpose in our lives.

National Sorry Day
NOW MORE THAN EVER

This Sunday marks National Sorry Day. The theme for 2024 is ‘Now More Than Ever’, encouraging all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation. National Sorry Day is an annual event in Australia on 26 May. It commemorates the Stolen Generations; the Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly separated from their families.

 
National Sorry Day begins National Reconciliation Week and next Wednesday our three Catholic schools will come together in prayer as a K-12 community for the annual Combined Schools’ Mass. Parents and parishioners are warmly welcome. Full details can be found further on in this newsletter.

Macquarie University Walanga Muru Rising Star Leadership Camp
Congratulations to eight of our Year 10 students, Dane Gillies, Allira Sullivan, Annaliese Nye-Smith, Isaac Chatfield, Tarlaya Te-Kowhai, Keayne Williams, Miah Chatfield and Mia Lasscock, who have been accepted into the Macquarie University Walanga Muru Rising Star Leadership Camp from 2-4 July.

Walanga Muru hosts a three-day leadership camp for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Year 10. Rising Stars Leadership Camp is an all-inclusive 3-day camp designed to further develop students' leadership skills, grow their cultural knowledge and encourage their future aspirations. The camp supports young leaders to consider career options and immerse themselves in university life. Special thanks to Mrs Elise Paull for her efforts in securing this opportunity for our students. Mrs Paull has developed a strong working relationship with Macquarie University and our connection as a college has enabled eight of our students to be selected. Congratulations to our 2024 participants.

PARTNERSHIP WITH LA TROBE UNIVERSITY – NEXUS PROGRAM

You can complete a Master of Teaching (Primary) while getting paid to work in a NSW school.

As an initiative of the CECG People Strategy, this partnership provides individuals who have previously completed an undergraduate degree, access to the program and the ability to pursue a Master of Teaching (Primary) while undertaking paid employment in eligible CECG schools. In addition to paid employment in CECG, and financial support offered by La Trobe, participants also benefit from the support of university and CECG school-based mentors.

HOW IT WORKS

• Year One - Students commence course work and meet their peers at face-to-face intensive classes and online lectures and tutorials. It is anticipated students will commence working in Term 4 of 2024 as a Classroom Support Assistant one (1) day a week and then two (2) days a week in the following two (2) terms.
• Year Two - Course work continues including a second Nexus intensive. Students move to a 0.8 teaching load as a Conditionally Accredited Teacher.
• Graduation - Students graduate and transition to provisional accreditation in NSW.

To assist with implementing this program, Director of Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn, Mr Ross Fox has asked Principals to release this information to their communities. Please refer to program details included in this newsletter. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone considering a teaching career in primary education.

Sculpture on Clyde Exhibition
Congratulations to our Visual Arts students who have been selected as finalists for the “Sculpture for Clyde” Exhibition. Students are Abbey Flavell, Abbie Morris, Amelia Edwards, Archer Schuchmann, Erin Rayment, Jamie Haynes, Jasmine Stewart, Jaz Salmon, Lily Walsh, Lizzie Barrington, Ruby Davis, Kate Patyus and Scarlett Pace.

The student's work will be on display in the Exhibition Marquee at the Batemans Bay foreshore from 25 May to 2 June, along with the indoor and outdoor sculptures.

It is well worth a visit to see students' work alongside world-class sculptures.

Next Thursday and Friday I will be attending the Southern Region Principals’ meeting in Cooma. Mr Andrew Kenneally will be Principal (Acting) in my absence.

A reminder to Year 10 families that an information session is being held on Monday 27 May at 6pm in the Hub for parents for Urban Challenge. Don’t miss this amazing experience for your child!

As we move into the weekend, I thank all families for their ongoing support. We are working hard to establish very clear expectations for student wellbeing so our young people can flourish as aspirational learners.

With respect and encouragement to you.

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal

‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’          (John 8:12)