In 2019, the Council for the Marist Association of Saint Marcellin Champagnat made the decision to establish a National Schools Council. The purpose of the National Schools Council is to provide advice to the Association Council about matters relating to Marist Schools Australia in fulfilling its mission, vision and overall objectives in service and leadership with the 54 Marist schools across Australia. In effect, the National Schools Council is a standing committee of the Association Council and will fulfil its role in support of good governance for the largest Marist ministry in Australia, our schools. The National Council will receive regular reports, data and analysis from the Marist Schools Australia Leadership Team, which is ably supported by the existing three Regional Councils, who provide invaluable advice and guidance to the MSA Regional Directors.
Read MoreIt is hard to recall commencing a school year with such a pall of widespread calamity. The ongoing drought and bushfire crises have impacted families and communities across the country and the recent developments with the deadly new coronavirus have in the last week swamped the media. Such has been the intensity of disaster coverage, some mental health professionals have advised people to moderate their exposure to the 24 hour news feed.
Read MoreOn Saturday evening the “Marist Schools Australia Mass and Dinner” for the southern region was celebrated at Marcellin College, Bulleen. This was the last of three such occasions, held in each Marist region in Australia. For 2019, these opportunities brought 380 Marist educators and their loved ones together. Importantly 46 staff members from 40 different schools and associated ministries were recognised in appreciation for their service to Marist education. One could not help but be inspired by the citations read by the respective school Principal or ministry leader describing these worthy award recipients. By evenings end for each, one felt blessed and privileged to be associated with such a vibrant, joyous and committed community, whose expression of Christian life and vocation has such determination and purpose in education.
Read MoreADVENT
In a little over a week, the holy season of Advent will mark our preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Questions such as “where did the year go?” or “how can we possibly get everything done before Christmas?” naturally enter our minds. Advertisements on television and on billboards can accentuate a sense of panic, as days are counted down to Christmas and the need “to shop” is repeated incessantly. However, as Marist educators, we share the vision of Saint Marcellin, to make Jesus known and loved, and embrace this holy season with its many opportunities to bring that vision to life. Whether it be through supporting the Australian Marist Solidarity Christmas Appeal, a particular project of the local St Vincent de Paul, additional times for prayer and reflection, or special events such as a Carols night, we seek to point our young people to Jesus.
Read MoreIn these final six weeks of the 2019 academic year the usual intensity of final assessment and reporting will be a common feature in all schools. For Marist educators it is also a time when we reflect upon the efficacy of our own work with the young people in our care. In the Footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat, clearly describes the goals of a Marist education for young people. At this stage of the year, the following points pose questions for us to collectively and individually reflect upon. As our students conclude a year of learning and formation in a Marist school, much of what we seek to influence, and guide is not readily measured. However, there are indicators of success and progress in all of the characteristics listed below, and I would suggest abundantly evident in our schools this year. Paragraph 77 of the Footsteps document posits that with the active co-operation of young people themselves, Marist educators seek creative ways to teach students:
Read MoreLast week in Canberra, a gathering of Directors for Catholic education across Australia was hosted by the National Catholic Education Commission CEO, former Senator Ms Jacinta Collins. Jacinta is Catholic education’s key advocate for approximately 770,000 students in Catholic schools and their families, as well as the more than 90,000 people who work in Catholic education.
Read MoreIn preparing a large host of students over many months from multiple schools for World Youth Day, Madrid in 2011, the credo “I’m a pilgrim, not a tourist!” was repeatedly impressed upon the young people by the adult leaders. In part, this was to build a robust mindset for the inevitable challenges to comfort, convenience, patience and energy. Of course, primarily the credo was to focus the group on the real purpose of the journey: a faith experience.
Read MoreMost who have worked in Catholic schools can speak of experiences with families and children new to Australia. This past week, the Australian Catholic Church has placed a purposeful focus on Migrants and Refugees. Recalling Pope Francis’ words,
the presence of migrants and refugees – and of vulnerable people in general – is an invitation to recover some of those essential dimensions of our Christian existence and our humanity that risk being overlooked in a prosperous society. That is why it is not just about migrants. When we show concern for them, we also show concern for ourselves, for everyone; in taking care of them, we all grow; in listening to them, we also give voice to a part of ourselves that we may keep hidden because it is not well-regarded nowadays.
Read MoreThe recent Marist Schools Australia Biennial Conference held in Melbourne a fortnight ago, was a gathering of the clan over three days which was inspirational, encouraging, profoundly optimistic and prayerful. With school leaders hailing from Marist Schools in 19 Dioceses across the country, much was gained from the liturgies, key note speeches and workshops. Apart from these more formal times, there was enormous richness in the sharing that took place over a meal, at morning tea, or during a quiet drink at the end of the day. The whole time together provided immense opportunity and scope for reflection on the work we do with our students, with the fundamental focus being how we make Jesus known and loved through the provision of quality education. The vibrancy and vitality of Marist Schools Australia as a Faith community was palpable, and noted in remarks by Archbishop Peter Comensoli and Bishop Greg Homeming, both of whom generously contributed to the Conference. We are indeed fortunate to have such a network in existence, conscious of its uniqueness on the Australian Catholic educational landscape.
Read MoreAs Term 2 came to its ragged conclusion across the nation, three significant retirements of Principals were celebrated. Brother Robert Sutton, Brother Michael Flanagan, and Mr Rick Sidorko brought to conclusion an astounding, combined total of 127 years of service and leadership to Catholic education. Each experienced heart felt farewells from their current school communities and expressions of deep gratitude were made for their work throughout their long and fruitful years in schools.
Read MoreIn the wake of the Champagnat day celebrations held in our Marist Schools across the country, the contribution of Marists to Catholic education in Australia has been worthy of reflection. Importantly and happily, the growth of Marist education is also a feature of Marist life and ministry in Australia. “Growth” was the oft used word on Friday 7 June, when Marists from around the country gathered to celebrate the official blessing and opening of the exciting new development at Sacred Heart College in Adelaide.
Read MoreLast week, 37 Assistant Principals from Marist Schools across the country gathered at The Hermitage in Mittagong for three days for their third national conference. Over the past three years, these committed and gifted Marist educators have come together to pray, share, network and reflect with the purpose of building capacity to become more effective in their critical leadership roles in Marist education.
Read MoreIn recent weeks, the passing of two well-known Australians featured much in the national discourse as Australians prepared for the Federal election. The passing of Les Murray, arguably Australia’s most prolific and influential poet and former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke has provided cause for reflection on their great legacy to our nation. Bob Hawke, a giant of the Labor party and Trade Union movement was lauded for his commitment to consensus during his years as Prime Minister. Murray, a convert to Catholicism, dedicated each of his books to “the glory of God” and much of his work articulated a spirituality which resonated with many. Br Peter Carroll, Provincial and Leader of the Marist Association, wrote beautifully of the legacy of Les Murray and his fellow ‘poet of the human spirit’, Jean Vanier, in the recent edition of Christ life and we commend this reflection to you.
Read MoreOceania!
It is a term most often heard in Australia during the cyclical qualifying rounds for the Football (Soccer) World Cup. The very word is usually accompanied with an uncertain, expansive, arcing sweep of the hand to vaguely describe a vast expanse of the globe, covered by water sprinkled with beautiful island nations. In 1836, when Pope Gregory XVI gave responsibility to the Marists for spreading the Gospel in “Oceania”, one can only imagine the limited understanding of the geographical enormity, in the offer and reception, of that mission. The region of Oceania covers an incredible 8,525,989 square kilometres.
Read MoreWhilst Easter is still some weeks away, this is the final newsletter for the term with a number of schools in different States soon commencing holidays. It has been an extremely challenging few months for all who work for the Church, and particularly for school leaders and teachers. The quote by Peter Turner, from a widely reported speech made at the annual Wollongong Catholic Schools Mass a few weeks ago, has attracted much attention across the nation over the past fortnight. In his address, in an overflowing St John Vianney’s Co Cathedral, Peter captured for everyone present, a lived reality evident in Catholic schools throughout our country.
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