National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June)

During our College Assembly on Tuesday, I spoke about how exciting it is that the Uluru Statement from the Heart is set to be a very central part of national dialogue in the coming years.

In keeping with this, I share the following reflection from CEO Wollongong regarding “Being Brave and Making Change”.

Each year our country celebrates National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

As Catholics we understand deeply the concept of Reconciliation. We have the Sacrament of Penance which invites us to reflect on those times when we have missed the mark in how we live and then calls us to repair and restore the broken aspects of our lives and relationships with God, people and all of creation. During National Reconciliation Week we are called to repair and restore the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and all Australians, recognising the history of what has been and moving forward together in a spirit of love.

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme is 'Be Brave. Make Change', and is a challenge to all Australians to tackle the unfinished business of Reconciliation. It is a challenge to individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to 'Be Brave' and tackle the unfinished business of Reconciliation so we can 'Make Change' for the benefit of all Australians.

2022 is marked by significant national anniversaries of brave actions:

• 50 years ago: In January 1972, a group of brave young men began the longest protest for Indigenous land rights, sovereignty, and self-determination by planting a beach umbrella and signage proclaiming the Aboriginal Embassy across the road from (then) Parliament House in Canberra.
• 30 years ago: In June 1992, the ten-year fight of a group of Torres Strait Islanders, led by Eddie Mabo, over ownership of Mer (Murray Island) resulted in a High Court decision that recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have rights to land – rights that existed before the British arrived and can still exist today.
• Also, in 1992 on 29 May the Torres Strait Islander Flag was officially presented to the people of the Torres Strait Islands at the sixth Torres Strait Cultural Festival.
• 25 years ago: In April 1997 the Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families was released, a testament to the bravery of thousands who told of the impact of forcible removal from their families, cultures and communities.

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful changes like these, future gains, such as the realisation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort. This Reconciliation Week we are invited to make change beginning with brave actions in our daily lives – “where we live, work, play and socialise”.

Two actions to consider:

1. Commit to pray for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters - for healing, justice and Reconciliation.
2. Learn more about the Uluru Statement of the Heart and raise awareness of the issues in your own circles.

YEAR 12

We congratulate our Year 12 students for their application towards their studies. It is very pleasing that Year 12 numbers at Thursday afternoon study classes/evenings are increasing. We encourage our Year 12s to avail themselves of these classes and study opportunities even more readily over the next two terms.

YEAR 12 REPORTS

Year 12 Reports will be made available today via COMPASS.

Due to scheduling changes, necessitated by COVID, our Year 12 Reports would normally have been made available prior to Parent/Carer/Teacher/Student Interviews, however, this was not to be this semester. If parents/carers have any queries about these reports, we encourage you to contact staff members through the College Office.

YEAR 7-11 REPORTS

A schedule for these will be published in the coming fortnight. Do note, however that these will be made available prior to parent/carer/teacher/student interviews.

• Year 8 and 9 parent/carer/teacher/student interviews will occur on Monday 27^th June from 3 – 8pm
• Year 7 and 10 parent/carer/teacher/student interviews will occur on Wednesday 29^th June from 3 – 8pm
• Year 11 parent/carer/teacher/student interviews will be in Week One of Term Three on Wednesday 20^th July from 3 – 8pm

PRAYER

This week we have honoured ‘Laudato Si’ Week’, a week in which we remember Pope Francis’ urging in his encyclical Laudato Si’ to hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor and to humbly place ourselves in communion with our common home.

The following prayer calls us to pray for and respect the earth:

A Prayer for our Earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe

and in the smallest of your creatures.

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,

so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it,

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature

as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.

Amen.