Hello, my name is Mrs. Alexandra Mediati and I have been appointed as the new Assistant Principal Religious Education, Identity and Mission at the College. I humbly join this community with an Open Mind and Open Heart to centre ourselves with God and create an environment within this inclusive college fostering the message of Christ in the Gospels. My role in the College will involve leading ministry, service, and community building to bring the messages of Blessed Edmund Rice and St Francis of Assisi alive. I look forward to working with the Leadership Team, Youth Ministry, and the Religious Education Coordinator (K-4) to teach Religious Education, as well as work closely with staff and students in the Social Justice and Outreach domains. I look forward to meeting many students and families as the year progresses. 

Student Leaders

On Friday, I look forward to the Student Leaders Ceremony. Alongside the Senior Executive Team, I wish the students many blessings and strength to take on their role as representatives of our College and work together to strengthen student voice and participation. Congratulations to the following Student Leaders for 2022:

College Captains

Adithya A
Aaliyah S

Youth Engagement Leaders 

James K
Honey P
Jaidon A
Abigail A

Senior Years Leaders

Hari S - Chisholm House Leader
Tamisha M - Clare House Leader
Kye H - Janssen House Leader 
Krrish G - Mackillop House Leader 
Vanessa W  -  Treacy House Leader 
Capreice A-D - Wellington House Leader 

Middle Years Leaders

Chanelle C - Chisholm House Leader
Jorjen K - Clare House Leader
Chelsea D - Janssen House Leader
Alansa S - Mackillop House Leader
Vevina K - Treacy House Leader 
Ellie M - Wellington House Leader 

Junior Years Leaders

Sienna V - Chisholm House Leader
Divyesh H - Clare House Leader 
Elora C - Janssen House Leader 
Abigail P - Mackillop House Leader
Darcy N - Treacy House Leader
Maya C - Wellington House Leader

A Pray for All Leaders

Leadership is hard to define.

Lord, let us be the ones to define it with justice.

Leadership is like a handful of water.
Lord, let us be the people to share it with those who thirst.

Leadership is not about watching and correcting.
Lord, let us remember it is about listening and connecting.

Leadership is not about telling people what to do.
Lord, let us find out what people want.

Leadership is less about the love of power and more about the power of love.

Let our greatest passion be compassion. Our greatest strength is love.
Our greatest victory is the reward of peace.

In leading let us never fail to follow.  In loving let us never fail.

Shrove Tuesday & Lent

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. In the past, there were many foods that Christians would not eat during Lent such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods. So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on Shrove Tuesday, and eat up all the foods that wouldn't last the forty days of Lent without going off. 

St Francis will be celebrating this day on Tuesday 1st March 2022 by selling pikelets. Students will be able to buy 2 pikelets with or without maple syrup for a Gold Coin donation before school (from 8.00 am - 8.25 am). Gluten-free pikelets will be available for purchase upon request. All profits raised will go towards our Project Compassion appeal for 2022. 
  

On Ash Wednesday during Pastoral sessions and class time, students will participate in a Lenten Liturgy where students and staff will receive a token bookmark to commemorate this important Church event. The Christian season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days. Catholics are asked to make some modifications or changes during this time of prayer, fasting, and giving.  These acts during Lent are meant to be for the purification of the body and soul. Choosing to pray more regularly, go without something special you like to eat, social media or gossiping or perhaps giving to charity and lending a helping hand to a work colleague or friend. Lent culminates at Easter when Christ rose triumphantly from the dead. Easter is considered to be the most important time in the Catholic calendar. 

The tradition of Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church is a poignant reminder that one day our bodies will die someday and turn to dust. Normally, ashes are placed on people’s foreheads and the words spoken are from Genesis 3:19: "Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return." So ashes on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, are religious reminders, just like holy water and palms on Palm Sunday. Catholics are also expected to refrain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday.

Sincerely

Mrs Alexandra Mediati
Assistant Principal Religious Education, Identity and Mission