ACT Catholic school communities came together over the summer break to help communities impacted by the bushfires and drought. Over 300 new backpacks filled with school supplies and gift cards were delivered to bushfire affected communities in regional NSW and the South Coast. 

What started as an idea from Angela Ryan and Tracey Adamson, teachers at St Anthony’s Primary School, Wanniassa, inspired generous action from the Catholic community across the ACT. A message was shared across social media prompting other Catholic schools such as Holy Family Primary School, Gowrie, St Thomas the Apostle Primary School, Kambah and St John Vianney’s Primary School, Waramanga to get involved. The school community at Holy Spirit Primary School, Nicholls, took up a collection of gift cards to be donated to families in need.

The Principals hand delivered the backpacks and gift cards to schools in areas impacted by the bushfires. These generous donations were intended to assist families to be ready for school from the first day of Term 1. The hope was that the return to ‘normal’ would help to begin the healing process.

Tracey Adamson, a teacher at St Anthony’s, spoke of wanting to do something small and practical.

“The response has been overwhelming,” said Tracey. “We liked the idea that children could be involved in giving to others, regardless of personal connection to the fires. It has given us a sense of purpose.”

In the Archdiocese there were at least 12 school communities who were directly affected by the fires. In particular, areas of the South Coast (Batehaven, Moruya, Broulee, Pambula), Braidwood, Batlow, Adelong, Bombala, Bega, Cooma, Gundagai and Tumut. 

“Our Catholic schools are known for their generosity and compassion,” said Ross Fox, Director of Catholic Education. “These kinds of responses are typical of our Catholic school communities. I’m humbled by the resilience shown across our most impacted regions.”

Lumen Christi Catholic College, Pambula Beach, welcomed two classes of Kindergarten students.

Students and their families gathered in the morning at a special assembly to greet the Kindergarten students. Families then joined their children for classroom activities such as colouring in and storytime.

In no time, students familiarised themselves with the College, making themselves at home on the playground equipment.

When it came time to say goodbye to their parents, there were many excited faces and only a few tears. Lulu, the school therapy dog was there to offer support to anyone who needed it.

Teachers Miss Chester and Ms Radanovich are thrilled with the way their new students are settling into school life at Lumen Christi and look forward to watching their students grow and learn. 

St Michael’s Primary School, Kaleen, recently welcomed Aboriginal Visual Artist, Wendy Rix, as ‘Artist in Residence’ for two weeks. Wendy, a Yuwaalaraay woman from North West NSW, has a long history working with Archdiocesan schools. She spent time in every class working with students to create Aboriginal inspired art and worked with smaller groups of Aboriginal students.

Wendy painted two large murals, a rainbow design on a white wall heading into the school’s ‘B Block’ and a tree design on a green wall in the canteen area. The two murals have captured the true meaning of St Michael’s.

Wendy was commissioned to create two artworks titled ‘Harmony’ and ‘Challenge’ and a cross. These artworks are now on display in the front foyer at St Michael’s. 

“What an amazing fortnight we have had with Wendy Rix working with us,” said ST Michael's Principal, Patrick Ellis.  “So many great moments occurring with art and Aboriginal perspectives. Thank you to Wendy for her inspirational visit, bringing awareness and focal points for us to acknowledge, affirm and celebrate Aboriginal culture at St Michael's.”

This month, the ACT Teacher Quality Institute held their Certification Awards Ceremony for ACT teachers who received Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation in 2019.

Congratulations to ACT Catholic school teachers, Priscilla Carragh, Kristy Everding (St Clare of Assisi Primary School, Conder); Kerri Kerr (St Joseph’s Primary School, O’Connor); Katherine Calley, Abbey Kennedy and Teressa Patterson (St Francis Xavier College, Florey) who received their awards at the ceremony.

Loretta Wholley, Principal of Merici College, Braddon and Luke Mooney, Curriculum Coordinator at St Thomas the Apostle Primary School, Kambah, were recognised for having completed their training to become HALT Assessors.

National Highly Accomplished and Leader Teacher (HALT) certification is a voluntary initiative that supports teachers to explore and reflect on their practice, developing a wealth of insights. The evidence based process can take up to two years to complete.

Director of Catholic Education, Ross Fox, acknowledged the award recipients. “I am proud to recognise the achievements of this group of dedicated and passionate Catholic school teachers. Congratulations!”

Sixteen year old Jack Kelly, a student at St Mary MacKillop College, Tuggeranong, has spent his summer holidays fighting the bushfires that threatened the Braidwood and Bungendore area, as a volunteer firefighter.

Jack joined the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) with his dad at just 14 years of age. After two years of basic training, he was ready to join the front line. Courageous Jack put that training into practice over the summer holidays, fighting the recent fires beside some of the most experienced firefighters.

“The highlight of my summer break was fighting the fires in my own backyard in Warri, NSW and knowing that what I was doing was saving lives and land,” said Jack “The scariest day was the day that the bushfires impacted my own street.”

Jack intends to stay with the RFS for the foreseeable future as he completes his senior studies at St Mary MacKillop College. He hopes one day to have a career as a professional firefighter.

Maxime Bone, a Year 12 student at Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn, spent a week of her summer holidays volunteering at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Maxime’s passion for her work inspired Trinity Catholic College to sponsor a koala. 

During her time at the hospital, Maxime gained a wealth of information participating in a number of clinical screenings and procedures. Maxime assisted with the cleaning of koala exhibits and feeding non-lactose formula to those koalas who required extra supplementation. Maxime also attended the rescue and release of a rehabilitated koala. 

Maxime chose a fire-affected koala named Arwen for the College, who is currently a resident at the hospital. Throughout the year, the College will host a number of events to raise funds towards Arwen’s medical care.

The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital sees between 200 and 250 koalas annually who are mainly victims of motor vehicle accidents and dog attacks. However, the recent bushfires saw 31 koalas from the firegrounds be admitted into care.

“The work that the team does is incredible. It was an honour to be able to join them for a week,” said Maxime. “It has been a fantastic eye opener, confirming my future (hopefully) in veterinary medicine.”

“While it was devastating to see some severely burnt patients admitted to the hospital, it was calming to know that they were in safe hands to be cared for and one day be returned to their homes,” said Maxime.

Maxime encourages others considering donating or adopting a koala to please do so.

“All funds go straight into caring for each of the 75 plus koalas at the hospital.” she said.

Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn recently hosted the annual Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) ACT Breakfast Panel. The panel featured ACT leaders in education, Catholic Education Director, Ross Fox, Katy Haire, ACT Director General of Education and Andrew Wrigley, Director, Association of Independent Schools, ACT. The panel discussed their vision for education in the ACT.

The panel focused on 2020 priorities for their school sectors. They reflected on the shared challenges facing schools, including improving the learning outcomes of students.  

The morning was an important opportunity for leaders from all three sectors to come together and learn from each other. The new ACT Director General, Katy Haire, shared her excitement to be in Canberra and how impressed she is with the excellence of the ACT schooling system. 

Ross Fox spoke of Catholic Education’s four-step learning journey for 2020: believe we can do better; believe we will make the difference for students; name, reflect on and remove distractions; and reflect on the available evidence to focus on what matters most for learning. These steps will deliver great Catholic Education to students and families across the Archdiocese

“It was great to share educational priorities for 2020 with other ACT educational leaders,” said Ross Fox. “It is a truly exciting time to work in education.”

St John Paul II College, Nicholls celebrated Ash Wednesday hosting the launch of Caritas Australia’s 2020 Project Compassion. Each year throughout the season of Lent, Caritas runs Project Compassion and the theme for 2020 is ‘Go Further Together.’ The Caritas campaign relies on the generosity of millions of Australians to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. 

The official launch was incorporated into the Ash Wednesday liturgy which was led by Archbishop Christopher Prowse. The College welcomed Caritas volunteers and student leaders from Merici College, Braddon, St Mary Mackillop College, Tuggeranong and Daramalan College, Dickson to the celebration.

Kirsty Robertson, CEO of Caritas Australia, spoke to students about the work Caritas is doing globally to support communities in need and urged everyone to get involved.

“As a small child I put my money in a Project Compassion box because I believed it could change the world,” said Kirsty. “I encourage everyone across the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn to participate this year, so that we can go further together to transform more lives with hope, compassion and love across the world.”

Many of our Catholic schools participate in the Lenten Caritas campaign, hosting events to raise funds in support of vulnerable communities.

The Catholic Education Office welcomed several ACT Religious Education Coordinators (RECs) and teachers of senior Religious Education to the Catholic Education Office for a day of exploration into the new Religious Studies content provided by the ACT Board of Secondary Studies (BSSS). 

“Our ACT Secondary Colleges are in a unique position to introduce the new courses due to established practices of exploring various Faith Traditions, along with our own rich Catholic Tradition,” said Angus Tulley, Deputy Director of Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. “The work our Colleges are doing with the Conceptual Inquiry Model, means our schools are well placed to transition into these new courses.”

The day was facilitated by Professor Peta Goldburg from the Australian Catholic University and Anne Armstrong of St Francis Xavier College, Florey. Together they guided participants through a solid understanding of the new content and the possibilities it presents for enriching student learning. 

RECs and teachers became more aware of the nature and purpose of the new courses. They were able to identify and develop implementation strategies to suit their individual contexts. 

The feedback received from participants was overwhelmingly positive.

“Breaking open new curriculum is equal parts excitement and terror,” said Nicola Edghill, Leader of Learning - Religious Education at St Clare’s College, Griffith. “The day was a powerful opportunity to unpack the new Religious Studies courses and to work collegially to consider the implications for our senior students. There is great power in collaborating and our strength as a System comes from the possibilities that we uncover when we work together.”

Jonathon Moyle, Assistant Principal Faith Leadership at St Mary Mackillop College said that the day provided a tremendous opportunity for leaders in Religious Studies to come together to workshop the finer details of the new courses. “It was fantastic to have Dr Peta Goldburg with us to refresh our understanding of curriculum in a Catholic context,” he said.