This week announcements of the retirement of two long serving and outstanding Marist Principals have been made. Tony Duncan who is currently on leave from Marist College North Shore, will conclude formally at the end of this term and John Riordan will conclude at Marist College Kogarah at the end of the year. It is fitting to recognise the vast contributions of these two fine, faith filled Marist educators.
Read MoreAs a Principal it always gave me great heart to see what it was students highlighted in their exit surveys on completion of Year 12. As a Marist Principal, foremost among the most highly valued were the celebrations of “Champagnat Day”. In reading and collating the data each year, this appreciation was both intriguing and somewhat amusing. Inevitably, memories of the nature of those days would flood the mind. Mass, some formalities, a generous feast of bread and sausage, and then an array of activities and fund raising that teetered on the cusp of chaos, a state in which students thrived and most teachers less so. Visiting Marist schools across the country on this special day as National Director in recent years, the same spirit and passion has been consistently evident. Most compelling is the manner in which the nature of Saint Marcellin’s relationship with God is portrayed and explained to our students and to one another.
Read MoreEarly in the first month of the current pandemic appearing in this country, Prime Minister Morrison urged Australians to be kind to one another. The statement seemed remarkable from a Prime Minister, and entirely appropriate. As we navigate the impacts of COVID-19, take pride in our collective efficacy in minimising infections through adherence to the various prescribed measures, and make the necessary careful adjustments to new ways of working and living whilst the virus remains active, the need to be kind to one another is growing rather than diminishing.
Read MoreWhilst Australians are consumed with managing our response to the Coronavirus pandemic, and arrangements are being made for students returning to school in different ways and times in each State and Territory, our fellow Marists in Vanuatu are in urgent need of our support in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Harold. This Category 5 system made landfall on the island of Espiritu Santo with sustained winds of 200km/h on 6 April.
Read MoreAs we continue to make sense of the current crisis for humanity across the globe, history and our Faith are important touchstones. The Spanish flu pandemic emerged at the end of World War I, killing more than 50 million people worldwide. In 1919 the virus reached Australia. A staggering 40% of the population was estimated to have been infected, with approximately 15,000 fatalities. The crisis led to the closure of schools, churches, theatres, pubs, race meetings and agricultural shows, plus the delay of victory celebrations. The result was not only economic hardship, but significant interruptions in education, entertainment, travel, shopping and worship. Australian historian, Dr Peter Hobbins sheds light on those times.
Read MoreOver the past two months Australians have watched the rapid spread of the coronavirus from Wuhan Province in China to 140 countries around the globe. As the number of infections and fatalities rise, and governments respond with restrictions to lessen the impact on their countries, the behaviour of people has been surprising and for many disappointing.
Read MoreAs we commence the Lenten Season for 2020 in our Marist Schools, it is timely to reflect on the meaning and importance of this holy season. The following reflections by our Holy Father, Pope Francis provide some simple, practical insights to share with our students.
Read MoreIn 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.
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