On Friday, 26 July, the Catholic Education community gathered at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manuka with special guests to celebrate the NAIDOC Mass and recognise students and staff members who have made a significant contribution to Aboriginal education in the Archdiocese.

Before Mass the congregation gathered outside the Cathedral. Participants were greeted with a smoking ceremony conducted by the Wiradjuri echoes as they entered the Church for Mass celebrated by Archbishop Christopher Prowse.

Music was led by the St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra choir.

Congratulations to the 2019 NAIDOC Award recipients:

Culture and Identity Award
Kaelen Mitchell (Year 6, St Francis Xavier Primary School, Lake Cargelligo)

Leadership/Mentor Award
Ryley Knight (Year 12, Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn)

Academic Achievement Award
Oscar Bartholomew (Year 6, Francis Xavier Primary School, Lake Cargelligo)

Academic Achievement Award
Ellah O’Callaghan (Year 10, Sacred Heart Central School, Cootamundra)

Culture and Identity Award
Riley Weeks (Year 12, Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn)

Culture and Identity Award
Miesje Blumer (Aboriginal Education Contact Teacher, St Patrick’s Parish School, Cooma)

Leadership/Mentor Award
Miah Moggridge (Year 5, Good Shepherd Primary School, Amaroo)

Leadership/Mentor Award
Mercedes Jacobs (Year 12, Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn)

Culture and Identity Award
Shania Morgan (Year 12, St Clare’s College, Canberra)

Leadership Award
Shynita Cromelin (Year 6, St Francis Xavier Primary School, Lake Cargelligo)

Leadership/Mentor Award
Bev McGreevy (Aboriginal Education Contact Teacher, Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn)

Community Award
Mawaang Tribe (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from K-10, Sacred Heart Central School, Cootamundra)

Years 5 and 6 students at St Monica’s Primary School, Evatt have explored identity and diversity in Australia with a theatrical performance entitled, ‘Many Dreams, One Land’.

Through dance and drama, students told the story of Australia’s rich multicultural heritage. The featured the First Australians, the ‘Dream Time’, the First Fleet, the Gold Rush and post-World War II migration.

Many of the scenes were developed and choreographed by students as part of their learning in dance with a narrative that incorporated a variety of texts including poetry, songs, letters and speeches.

Participation in the performance encouraged students to think deeply about themselves and what it means to be Australian. Students were able to reflect on where they and their families have come from, and how war and migration have shaped Australian history.

Year 6 teacher, Kathy Moir, wrote the moving and inspirational script and storyline that captured a semester of learning.

St Monica’s Principal, Carmel Maguire, congratulated the students on an outstanding Australian History presentation that highlighted the importance of diversity within their community.

A number of Principals, Religious Education Coordinators and Catholic Identity Officers representing the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn have accompanied the Archbishop on a ‘Leading the New Evangelisation’ (LNE) study program in England and Rome.

The program run by the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and the La Salle Academy provided leaders with a unique professional learning opportunity to experience a rich variety of formation experiences over a two- week period.

The group spent six days in London visiting significant Catholic locations, including the Westminster Cathedral and the Shrine of Martyrs at the Tyburn Convent. Participants also gained valuable insight into formation and mission initiatives at leading schools within the Westminster Diocese.

Leaders undertook lectures at the ACU Rome campus and attended site visits at the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s Basilica, St Paul ‘Outside the Walls’ and the Rooms of St Ignatius. The retreat concluded with a retreat in Assisi.

Religious Education and Faith Formation Officer, Bernadette Scott, said that the program provided the opportunity to dialogue about the contemporary context of the Church and current ways of fruitful renewal and evangelisation.

“The dialogue explored the Church’s teaching and understanding of renewal and was well led by all our lecturers, broadened through discussion with our United Kingdom and Wollongong colleagues,” she said.

“Being immersed in the beauty of the Christian story, culture and faith and how this has been expressed across the centuries, and is experienced today, has been invaluable to my learning.”

St Vincent’s Primary School, Aranda Religious Education Coordinator, Luke Maher, said that the program was a transformational professional development opportunity as a teacher in a Catholic school.

“The theme that ran throughout the two weeks was about the formation of the ‘Head, Heart and Hands’, and this is a perfect way to describe the fruits of the program,” he said.

“It began with the head at St Mary’s University, Twickenham and moved through the heart and into

the hands in Rome and the hills of Assisi.”

“This program helped develop and grow the understanding of the New Evangelisation and the vocation that is teaching in Catholic Education.”

Religious Education and Faith Formation Officer, Lisa Mamolitti, said that she experienced deepest encounter and reflection at the places of simplicity, peace and tranquillity.

“The LNE experience was one of renewal and personal formation that reaffirmed my role in Catholic Education as a vocation,” she said.

Schools across the Archdiocese celebrated NAIDOC Week (7 – 14 July) with activities that paid tribute to the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Holy Trinity Primary School, Curtin was one of many schools that celebrated NAIDOC Week in the last week of Term 2. Students in Year 3 and 4 held a liturgy that explored the significance of NAIDOC Week and enjoyed a dreamtime story session with Aboriginal storyteller, Larry Brandy.

Aboriginal Performer, Philip Green, presented St Monica’s Primary School, Evatt, students with a visual and tactile experience of traditional technologies used by Indigenous peoples throughout Australia.

At St Joseph’s Primary School, Adelong, students enjoyed a range of fun activities including boomerang throwing, traditional painting and the decoration of Aboriginal clapping sticks.

Students at St Benedict’s Primary School, Narrabundah participated in Aboriginal Dance Workshops for a special school performance in front of family and friends.

At Lumen Christi College, Pambula Beach, students explored the 2019 theme, ‘Voice, Treaty Truth. Let’s Work Together for a Shared Future’ with an Aboriginal art competition and damper making lessons.

Year 12 Lumen Christi Indigenous Captain, Hayleigh Lonesborough, designed an Indigenous mural for the occasion, that was representative of the local Aboriginal community and the four school Houses. Student representatives from Kindergarten to Year 12 painted the mural. The mural will be revealed at the College’s Cultural Day.

During the Term 2 break, Faith Formation Leader Charlotte Nicoletti, and Xavier House Pastoral Leader Veronica Harrold-Carter from Carroll College, Broulee travelled to Rome with a contingent of leaders from Catholic Schools around Australia to study Catholic Spirituality, Mission and Culture.

The visit formed part of the requirements for their Post Graduate Studies with the Australian Catholic University and was an opportunity to engage in faith formation and spiritual growth whilst developing an understanding of evangelisation and mission.

Whilst in Rome, Charlotte and Veronica visited the Congregation for Catholic Education where the group met with Undersecretary, Father Freidrich Bechina F.S.O. Father Bechina provided the group with considerable insight into the Catholic Church’s response to the vision and mission of Catholic schools worldwide.

The highlight of the trip was an audience with Pope Francis, his last until September. In His presentation to the crowd, the Pope spoke of hope and welcomed visitors from Australia and the teachers from the Australian Catholic University.

St Mary’s Primary School Moruya teacher, Rebecca Keough and Sts Peter and Paul Primary School Garran Assistant Principal, Garreth Wigg recently presented at the 2019 Australian Literacy Educators’ Association (ALEA) Conference in Melbourne.

The central theme, ‘Literacy Empowering Voices: Reflecting the Past, Viewing the Present, Scripting the Future’, provided insight and discussion on pedagogical approaches from national and international speakers.

The Catholic Education representatives shared innovative approaches on developing literacy in primary years through digital technologies and writing with colleagues from around Australia.

Canadian Founder of WordWorks Literacy Centre, Peter Bowers, challenged the traditional pedagogical approaches towards spelling present in classrooms and discussed the notion of scientific word inquiry as a powerful mechanism to target word structure.

Garreth Wigg said that he was inspired by the quality of each presenter’s views and the material they shared.

“The conference affirmed many of the significant initiatives already taking place in our Systemic schools, while providing thought and consideration for new approaches to excite young readers and writers,” he said.

“The feedback from attending delegates was very positive and full of constructive commentary for consideration, moving forward with our respective projects.”

St Clare’s College student, Keely Small, has been recognised by the Australian Olympic Committee for her achievement at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games at the College’s Senior Awards Ceremony this month.

During the ceremony, Keely was presented with the Olympic Flag from Olympic medallist Alicia Coutts, on behalf of the Australian Olympic Committee.

Keely was part of the Australian Team who competed in Buenos Aires, Argentina, bringing home a gold medal in the 800m event. She was also bestowed the honour of carrying the Australian Flag at the Opening Ceremony.

With Keely’s recent gold for the 800m at the Pacific Games in July, she looks to be on track to make her senior Olympic debut in Tokyo next year.

“Charity is the cement which binds us closer to God.” - St Vincent de Paul

The Sacred Heart community celebrated their feast day by taking action to help those who were less fortunate within their local community.

With assistance from Year 5 and 6, Kindergarten to Year 2 students made flower bouquets out of pipe cleaners for the local nursing homes. The bouquets were hand delivered with letters and drawings to brighten the residents’ day.

Mary Help of Christian parishioners helped students pack toiletry bags for the homeless and residents at nearby nursing homes with items graciously donated from the school community.

Kindergarten baked over 1,200 cookies that were donated to the St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol Van, with excess ingredients being collected by OzHarvest to further support the local community.

The Feast Day activities instilled the values of cooperation and partnership in the students by building connections with their church, parish and community.

After 44 years of service to the St Thomas Aquinas Primary School, West Belconnen community, Father Drinkwater celebrated his final School Mass on Thursday, 4 July.

Although Father Drinkwater has retired, he leaves a lasting legacy as the founding priest of the St Thomas Aquinas Parish.

School Principal, Cameron Johns, thanked Father Drinkwater for his generosity, dedication and support of the school community that has been blessed by his witness.

“Father Drinkwater is an example to others of what it might mean to live a life of service and dedication to the Catholic Church,” he said.

“The children and families are in a surer place because of his witness and we will always be grateful for Father Drinkwater’s support.”

Eight Lumen Christi College students have finished Term 2 as graduates of the NSW Rural Fire Services (RFS) Cadet Program as part of the College’s HSC accredited Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation course.

The graduates showcased their refined skills in front of RFS dignitaries, family members and the school community under the direction of local RFS volunteers from Eden, Merimbula and Pambula.

Working in small teams the students simulated a rapid first response in deploying an attack line from a fire tanker. They then took charge of re-filling a fire tanker from a portable water source and demonstrated the correct response if caught in a fire ‘over-run’.

Throughout the term the students undertook weeks of coaching on how to operate the fire truck, pumps, hoses and radios in accordance with RFS standard procedures.

At the ceremony, Acting Principal, Shane Giles, spoke of the importance of the RFS in the community and commended their technical, skilled and often heroic work.

“We are very proud to be involved so closely with the RFS and proud of our students who take part in the important volunteer work done by the RFS,” he said.

“We intend to maintain our close association between the College and the RFS.”

Congratulations to graduating students, Kynan, Trai, Dylan C, Tullen, Luke, Ashton, Dylan S and Patrick.

Year 5 student, Brodie Irvin, has raised over $3,300 for the Leukaemia Foundation through his courageous participation in the World's Greatest Shave.

Inspired by his dad's battle with and recovery from cancer, Brodie set himself a target of $500 and surpassed his goal sixfold with support from his family, friends and school community.

Brodie said that he felt a great sense of achievement in raising funds for this worthy cause.

"I would like the money to go towards research, for accommodation for regional families and other expenses that they might have." Brodie said.

St Patrick's Pricipal, Jo Scott-Pegum, congratulated Brodie on his outstanding efforts.

"We are all very proud of Brodie for demonstrating that one person can make a difference," she said.