Catholic schools throughout the world, seek to engage successfully in the requisite public assessment regimes pertaining to their national or state jurisdiction. Confidence of parents and the community in the quality of the education offered in Catholic schools must be assured if they are to succeed. In Australia, as early as 1890, the Marists attracted the attention of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Daily Telegraph for the success of their students at St Mary’s Cathedral and St Joseph’s Hunters Hill in the high profile and challenging NSW Senior Public Exams. The high performance of these schools was especially noteworthy considering their limited resource base when compared with schools owned and funded by the government.
Read MoreSo often, history comes alive by learning about a particular person. This last week we have celebrated Anzac Day and remembered the many thousands of lives affected by the conflict of war. As the marches were held last Sunday, a sea of stories, some brave, many sad and most extraordinary seemed to be floating past.
Read MoreAs we ready ourselves for the Easter celebrations in this Holy Week, one cannot but help to reflect on where we were this time 12 months ago. Lock downs were in place across the country and our normal Easter ceremonies were celebrated online or on television. The extent of the pandemic globally was not yet evident but the impact in some countries had all Australians on edge as to the potential for devastation. Travel overseas and interstate had ceased, schools had moved to offsite learning, and thousands of businesses had closed. There was only hope for a vaccine and experts varied in their reckoning as to how long it would take for one to be developed effectively and safely. Yet despite all of this, there remained among so many Australians a real sense of care for one another and trust in our medical experts and elected leaders.
Read MoreLent is a time when we are called to listen. To contemplate God’s voice, to feel God’s presence. In order to do this we are called to be more attentive to one another, to listen, and seek to understand. During the past four weeks, Australian women have spoken out bravely in relation to injustice and suffering at the hands of Australian men. The compelling strength, depth and dignity in which these issues have been brought forward into the public square present a catalyst for change in Australian society.
Read MoreThe document Anointed and Sent presents a common vision of the Australian Catholic Bishops for animating and nurturing the spiritual life of young people.
Read MoreThis past weekend, two people Marists in Australia have cherished as friends and colleagues for many years entered eternal life. Both Marshal (Joe) McMahon and Fr Bob Barber SM influenced scores of people here in Australia and overseas. Our prayers are for God’s comfort to their families and friends, and also to thank God for the gifts they generously shared with so many throughout their lives.
Read MoreI trust the new school year has commenced as smoothly as possible as we continue to navigate the ever changing COVID-19 environment. Our thoughts and prayers go especially to our friends and colleagues in Western Australia with the sudden lockdown changes there this week and the serious impact of the devastating bushfires effecting so many people and enterprises, including schools.
Read MoreAs we come to the end of the 2020 school year, it is timely to reflect. Thinking back to January, across the country our land was scorched by bushfires. This catastrophe followed one of the worst extended periods of drought in history throughout many parts of Australia. Following the fires, the COVID-19 pandemic crept across the country in March and April. These events, and most particularly the pandemic, impacted on our schools in ways we could never have imagined.
Read MoreAs we fast head toward the season of Advent and the final phases of the 2020 school year, it is a time for reflecting on these most challenging times.
Read MoreLast Friday the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) hosted an online Virtual Symposium in place of the planned NCEC Conference. During the symposium the upcoming bicentennial celebrations in recognition of 200 years of Catholic education in Australia were highlighted under the theme Faith in our Future, and the bicentennial website was launched.
Read MoreThis week whilst visiting Marist College Canberra, members of the leadership team remarked on the falling seeds of the many silver poplar trees in the nation’s capital at this time of year. For them the blanket of white on the College ovals is the annual reminder of University exam time. In other parts of the country, the blossoming of Jacaranda trees throughout many areas of the city heralds likewise for Year 12 students.
Read More“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
J.R.R. Tolkein
The above quote from Lord of the Rings is well known to many Tolkein fans and captures a moment of absolute desolation for the protagonist, Frodo Baggins. The words of the wise wizard Gandalf in response, reflect a deep understanding to the reader of our human frailty and vulnerability, yet they are words of hope. J.R.R. Tolkein was a devout Catholic who prayed regularly and attended Mass daily. Tolkein’s experiences fighting in the trenches during the Great War influenced him immeasurably. In his works of fantasy are many allegorical intimations yet these were never explicitly acknowledged by the great author. Undeniable are his portrayals of good and evil in a host of imaginary characters.
Read MoreOur schools are unapologetically Catholic in inspiration and in nature. We aim to provide the best education possible to every child who attends one of our schools. Believing as we do that, in the words of Gerald Manly Hopkins “the world is charged with the grandeur of God”, we recognise that every aspect of human knowledge and activity, to the extent that it is truly human, reveals something of the mystery of God and of God’s creative intention for the world.
Read MoreThis week two schools were formally accepted as new members of Marist Schools Australia, bringing our membership to 56 schools nationwide. On behalf of all Marist educators, Saint Patrick’s Primary School in Kilmore and Carmel College Thornlands are welcomed to the family of schools united in our desire to make Jesus known and loved through quality Catholic education in the Marist way.
Read MoreOn Monday 20 July, the Marist District of Melanesia formally joined with the Australian Province and was marked by an online celebration that involved the Superior General, Brother Ernesto Sanchez and two General Councillors, Brother Ben Consigli and Brother Ken McDonald. Provincial Brother Peter Carroll wrote the following in recognition of this historic development for all Marists in Australia and the many countries which collectively form the Province.
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