This Sunday is Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, which is the beginning of Holy Week. This is the final Sunday of the Lenten Season. As its rather lengthy title suggests, this Sunday engages us in a full dress rehearsal for the liturgies of the great three days about to be celebrated; Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. Sunday commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem when he arrived on a donkey, not even a horse, to begin the journey to the cross and resurrection.
The second highlight of Sunday’s liturgy is the proclamation of the Passion narrative. We already know that in one week we will celebrate the resurrection. Hearing the full story of Jesus’ suffering and death, gives caution to us not to try and get ahead of ourselves.
The Jews had been longing for a great leader, like one of their Kings of old, who would lead them to victory against the Roman invaders. They thought that Jesus might be that leader. At this time of Passover many Jews gathered in Jerusalem to remember how God saved them from slavery. But by his actions he shows everyone that he is no earthly king or soldier – he comes as the king of peace, love and forgiveness. This is why he chose to enter the city riding on a donkey, commonly used for carrying loads, rather than a battle horse.
St Joseph’s Feast Day
Yesterday saw our school celebrate the Feast Day of St Joseph. The day began with a Mass celebrated by Fr Paul Mullins and ended with the students gathering at the pool for a day of great celebration.
St Joseph was often portrayed as a simple carpenter within the Scriptures. However, our students could tell us through their learning, he was anything but this. The little we know about Joseph from the Scriptures shows us a man of faith, honour and courage. He believed Mary even when he might have chosen to reject her story about the angel. He stood by her. Joseph is a man of integrity and truth. We live in a society obsessed with rights and a world that seems to reward the brash, pushy and selfish. Joseph stands in stark contrast. He is a man characterised by strength, trustworthiness, self-sacrifice and courage.
Student Leadership
The opportunities to develop leadership skills are valued and varied at SJMS. Within the school there are roles of; School Leader, House Captains, Campus Coordinators and Justice and Ministry Leaders. All of which play an important role in the school.
Each role allows students to become actively involved in making decisions and problem solving in the community. Class meetings provide listening opportunities and allow students to both express their feelings and to be acknowledged.
However having said this, each of our students have a leadership role in our school whether they are in Year 7 or any other year level. There are many ways that each child can set an example for those around them, little things like; showing love in all actions, being a pillar of compassion and strength, to the more simple things like wearing their uniform with pride, putting their rubbish in the bin, moving to class on time after the bell, listening patiently to those around them, being kind to others; all are small but very important examples where students provided leadership to ensure our school continues to be a loving place.
Yesterday we presented Luca and Elysse to the community as the 2018 School Leaders. I trust that in 2018 all our students including Elysse and Luca will work together and utilise their Leadership Skills to ensure our school community continues to be caring, accepting and a true place of belonging for us all where our motto “In Omnibus Caritas” continues to live.
Year Seven
The Australian Curriculum is comprised of year level clusters, being: Foundation, Years 1 and 2, Years 3 and 4, Years 5 and 6, Years 7 and 8 and Years 9 and 10 to accommodate student learning. In most schools across Australia, Year 7’s are located in Secondary settings. ACARA state “In Year 7 (Year 8 in South Australia), students start high school, which presents new organisational and personal challenges. The Australian Curriculum is taught mostly by subject-specialist teachers. At this age, there is a focus on developing students’ abilities to maintain personal health and wellbeing, and manage personal relationships.”
As a community we know that learning can best occur in a setting that supports learning. Being on a two campus site we know the advantages and disadvantages of being a two site campus. One of the great benefits of being a two site campus is that we create two very age-appropriate settings, conducive to safe learning and appropriate social interactions.
On Thursday 26th October, 2017 Laurie Sammut (Principal - St Joseph’s Payneham), two School Board representatives from each of our schools and myself met with Dunstan’s Liberal Candidate at the time, now Premier Elect Mr Steven Marshall to discuss how he and his Liberal Party’s policies and commitments will support the students in Catholic Education. We discussed a range of points, one being the need to have Year 7 in Secondary Settings in the Eastern Region. The now Premier Elect had an understanding of the pressure across the Eastern region with the Year 7 transition, and acknowledged that it would be a challenge, but was willing to align DECD with the Catholic sector as soon as possible.
With our school no longer offering Year 7 in 2020, accompanying today’s newsletter (click here) are a number of letters from our local Catholic Colleges addressed to families who are keen to continue a Catholic Education enrolment.
This being said there are options for all families for Year 7 and beyond within the Eastern Region. If I can help broker a conversation, or help you in any way make an approach and explain your circumstances to a school that you are considering, please contact our front office and make an appointment to see me in the near future.
St Joseph’s Memorial School will still offer Year 7 in 2019. In addition, we have plans to allow our Year 6 students to graduate in 2019 with similar ‘rites of passage’ that every Year 7 would be extended, for example there will be a graduation, graduation jumper, leadership opportunities and a Canberra trip offered.
In times of change, there will be uncertainty and possible rumours, however I wish to assure you that St Joseph’s Memorial has a strong future as a Preschool to Year 6 School, to which end I look forward to in the coming weeks sharing with you some very exciting plans for development.
God Bless
Brady Stallard