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Page 6 – www.sandpiper.org.au News April 2011
School leaders gather
By Jenni Kennedy
Catholic Education Office
Bendigo – Parish Priests,
Principals and School Board
Chairpersons joined Sandhurst
School Education Board members
and Catholic Education Office
staff in Bendigo recently for the
annual Sandhurst Leadership
Conference.
The conference began with a Commissioning
Eucharist on Thursday
evening March 3 at the Sacred Heart
Cathedral.
Celebrated by Monsignor Frank
Marriott and Diocesan Clergy, the
Eucharist included the commissioning
of new principals and Catholic
Education Sandhurst Staff, including
Director Phil Billington and Deputy
Director Brenda Keenan.
A FIRE Carrier ceremony was
celebrated before the beginning of
the Mass as Monsignor Marriott,
Father Joe Taylor, Father Rom Hayes
and Co-Deputy Directors of Catholic
Education Sandhurst Max Fletcher
and Brenda Keenan were commissioned
as Fire Carriers.
The FIRE Carrier initiative
promotes reconciliation through
education – Friends Igniting Reconciliation
through Education.
A Commitment Ceremony for
School Board Chairpersons took place
at the end of the Eucharist to formally
acknowledge the important contribution
that School Board Chairpersons
make to their school communities.
New School Board Chairpersons
were presented with a bible to mark
the occasion.
At the conclusion of the service
Sandhurst leaders gathered for dinner
at the Foundry Complex.
Director of the Edmund Rice Centre,
Mr Phil Glendenning provided
an outstanding dinner address which
focused on the 2011 theme, “One
Body, One Spirit in Christ – Called to
Action”.
With a background in education
and political science Phil Glendenning
shared his insights about human
rights, reconciliation, the plight of
refugees and the effects of climate
change.
The conference continued on Friday
March 4 with Keynote speaker Sr
Anne Derwin rsj, Leader of the Australian
Josephites.
Sr Anne provided a thought provoking
and insightful address which
invited participants to ponder: “What
Monsignor Frank Marriott presents Sandhurst Director of Catholic Education Ms Phil Billington with a Bible during the Mass.
action we are called to in Catholic
Education in the 21st century?”
Director of Catholic Education Ms
Phil Billington was delighted with
the Gathering and the exceptional
input from the invited speakers, Phil
Glendenning and Sr Anne Derwin
and our local inspirational leaders.
“The annual Leadership Gathering
of Priests, Principals and School
Board Chairs is an important time
each year during which we take time
The inaugural winner of the Denis JB Higgins
Research Scholarship was announced
at the Leadership Conference dinner. Ms
Kimberley Tempest, Principal of the McAuley
Champagnat Program in Shepparton, received
the award from Denis for research into the
areas of flexible learning. The JB Higgins
Research Scholarship was established by the
Sandhurst School Education Board in 2010 to
acknowledge the dedicated career of Denis
Higgins as teacher, principal, consultant and
director. The scholarship is established to
provide research opportunities focused on
improving quality learning opportunities for
students of all ages.
to reflect on our Catholic identity and
mission and to be inspired,” Ms Billington
said.
“Sr Anne Derwin and Phil Glendenning
provided great inspiration and
challenge to us all – we are energized
for the opportunities and challenges
that lie ahead!”
An afternoon presentation from
Ms Kimberley Tempest and Mr Peter
White about the McAuley Champagnat
Program (MCP) at Notre Dame
College in Shepparton was a highlight.
MCP has been operating since
2006 answering the call to provide
an educational provision that meets
the needs of “at risk” students in the
region.
This is a unique school community
that includes a team of people
and organisations that work together
for the best interest of the student and
their family.
The McAuley Champagnat Program
is an inspirational example of
answering the call to action as staff
endeavor to equip students with
the skill and confidence to ensure a
brighter future.
“Many arrive at MCP with little
self-esteem, low expectations and
Providing
counselling
and family
support
services for
couples,
families and
individuals
throughout
the
diocese
including mini-golf.
Appointments/Enquiries phone:
Bendigo 03 5438 1300
Echuca 03 5438 1300
Shepparton 035831 4699
Wodonga 02 6056 1861
Wedderburn 02 5494 3798