Last week, it was a privilege and a joy to celebrate with the Year 12 students and their families, the end of their school journey. On Monday, they opened their time capsules full of items they saved for themselves in Year 7, along with surprising amounts of money. They reminisced with fondness about the last 6 years. They went into these celebrations with a great unity of spirit. On Tuesday, the celebration continued with a moving Mass and a joy filled dinner at the Events Centre in Essendon Fields.
Exams are now well underway and we wish all Year 12 students the very best for the coming weeks.
Cup week always seems to feel like it has arrived too soon. The four-day break, I hope, will bring with it an opportunity to rest and prepare for the remainder of the term. The exam period for Year 10 and 11 students will begin soon, followed quickly by the Orientation Program, designed to help prepare them for the next phase of their VCE studies. The program has been developed with the specific future needs of the students at its heart. It will be a chance for students to gain some understanding of the course content and will prepare them for their study routines for the holiday break and the beginning of Year 11 and 12 in 2026.
November is a time of remembrance. On November 1, it is the Feast of All Saints and November 2, the Feast of All Souls. On these days, we call to mind all those loved members of our families and communities that are no longer with us. It is a chance to remember and celebrate their lives and achievements and the blessings that they brought to our lives. On Thursday 11 November it is Remembrance Day, a time to pause and remember those who have given their lives in the service of their country. As wars and conflicts rage around the world, we hold all who are living in fear, suffering the loss of loved ones, their home and their security in our prayers.
Today in Australia we celebrate World Teachers’ Day. The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has a program for ‘Hats off to Teachers’. We celebrate teachers both here and all over Australia. We hope you can join us in also celebrating and recognising our teachers and perhaps tip your hat for someone.