Newman News Term 3 Week 10: From the Director of Mission and Catholic Identity
Reflection:
“Their whole life will be an echo of what you will have taught them.” – St Marcellin Champagnat
Y12 Game Changers Graduation
Game Changers were sent off on Tuesday night with a lovely evening of celebration filled with friendship, laughter, delicious food and shared memories. Our Year 12 Game Changers gathered for the last time as students at the college with their parents for a lovely evening to celebrate their time together as Game Changers.
There were lovely presentations from students, that really highlighted to the benefits of their time in this group, such as the great perspective they gained from going on their trip to Mullewa last year, and the lasting bonds of friendship they created as leaders this year. Mr Finneran spoke of the ongoing benefits the students will take away from the program and the impact their positive actions will have on other people. Issy, our Marist Youth Ministry Regional Assistant, spoke of the exciting opportunities post school MYM has to offer and some of the initiatives she is planning to get running for next year.
Most importantly, however, it was just a lovely night for all to come together, reminisce and celebrate the journey this group has taken over the years. Game Changers continues to offer our students an opportunity to think about the world outside of themselves and reflect on who God is calling them to be. I am grateful to Sophie Monisse, Adeline Hendricks and Aleisha Bryson for walking with these students since they began their journey in Year 10.
Living Marist Service Learning
Our Christian Service Learning Program, Living Marist, has been running throughout the year with Year 7, 8 and 9 students. The purpose of service learning is to engage students in activities that challenge them to reflect, discern and act in the community.
Students have participated in a range of activities, both in the community and at school; recently supporting Lavalla and Marian students. Congratulations to our students who have worked hard and shown great initiative. Keep up the good work! These actions espouse the Marist values of Family Spirit and Love of Work.
The completed Service Learning booklets are due back at the beginning of Term 4 so there is still time for students to find opportunities for service in the community and add to their number of completed hours.
Year 7 Game Changers Retreat
On the 7 September, a small group of driven year sevens embarked on their very first Game changers retreat. The day was filled with team-building challenges, opportunities for personal growth as young Marist leaders, and an introduction to what game changers is all about. We found fun and interactive ways to discover some key Marist role models, or ‘stars’, and even some celebrities who seem to live out the Marist values; simplicity, love of work, in the way of Mary, family spirit, and presence. We finished up the day by looking into ways we can live out these values at home and, quite literally, ‘planting the seeds for future growth’. This was encompassed in a ‘grow from home’ activity involving planting seeds in cups that the students decorated with goals. By the end of the retreat, the newest participants in the Game Changers program had a deeper understanding of what it means to be a young Marist and how they can grow to be the best versions of themselves and support each other in this journey.
Br Bill Sullivan
Last week we welcomed Br Bill Sullivan, Director of the Hermitage, Mittagong, into our Community. Throughout the year Br Bill works with our staff in faith formation and on this occasion he also offered a Parent Retreat.
Called The Golden Thread; Sensing the Sacred in the Ordinary, this retreat-style session gave participants an opportunity to pause, reflect, ask questions and develop a greater understanding of faith.
Having Br Bill in our community is another way we seek to empower our staff to engage in their faith story, explore their own purpose and relationship with God.
We look forward to welcoming Br Bill back to the College in 2023.
John Henry Newman Mass
October 9 is the Feast Day of St John Henry Newman. As the name chosen for our College it is an important day to celebrate our PK-12 community. On Friday 14 October our students from Kindy to Year 11 will gather to celebrate the Eucharist together. Primary students will then enjoy Buddy Day activities whilst those in Years 7-11 will return to normal classes. More information about these celebrations will be communicated to families in Term 4.
Thursday Morning Community Mass
Thank you to everyone who has attended our Thursday Morning Community Mass in the Champagnat Chapel this term. It is wonderful to see so many community members coming together each week to celebrate Mass with our students and staff.
Next term, following the John Henry Newman Mass in Week 1, and the Year 12 Graduation Celebration in Week 2, Community Mass recommences in Week 3 on Thursday 27 October and will be hosted by students in Catherine and Year 5 Blue.