Catholic Outlook December 2015

CATHOLIC EDUCATION
www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra CatholicEdParra
The
Pilgrim’s
Progress
In November, I was
blessed to join some of
our Catholic leaders on
pilgrimage in the Holy
Land. Surrounded by the displaced people of the wartorn
Middle East, it’s impossible not to be moved by
plight of those on a journey of uncertain destination.
That’s why in Bethlehem, together with a small group of
Principals from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains,
I joined the Jump Up&Down 4Kids campaign (see page
12) to end the immigration detention of children.
There are over 200 children being held in immigration
detention by the Australian government. The evidence
about the impact of detention on children is damning
and the damage is lasting. You can join the Jump
Up&Down 4Kids campaign, started by the Sydney
Catholic Education Office, on Facebook or Twitter (see
#jumping4kids). I am so proud of the many schools,
students and staff across the Catholic Diocese of
Parramatta who have participated in this campaign to
support young people in detention.
In fact, a number of Catholic school students are
refugees and we can learn much from their resilience,
determination and generosity. We look forward to
meeting the new Syrian refugees who will arrive in
Australia in coming months with warmth, compassion,
care and friendship. As Pope Francis recently reflected,
“To give a child a seat at school is the finest gift you can
give”.
The Holy Father reminds us: “As you persevere in this
work of providing education for refugees, think of the
Holy Family, Our Lady, Saint Joseph, and the Child
Jesus, who fled to Egypt to escape violence and to find
refuge among strangers”. These powerful sentiments are
echoed in the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
2015 Social Justice Statement, ‘For Those Who’ve Come
Across the Seas’.
We will be sending home some information for
families about the Social Justice Statement and the
#jumping4kids campaign and I would encourage you to
learn more about this significant issue and how we might
support our brothers and sisters facing persecution and
displacement.
Our pilgrimage finished in Rome where I was privileged
to address the Congregation for Catholic Education
World Congress. My conference paper (see page 13)
addressed the need to transform Catholic schooling and
to be countercultural - opening our hearts and minds to
the Catholic imagination.
As we approach Christmas, I was reminded of TS Eliot’s
poem, The Journey of the Magi, about the three Wise
Men’s homecoming from Bethlehem: “we returned
to our places...no longer at ease here”. Pope Francis’
challenge to us to go where the poor and marginalised
are, where Jesus was, should push us beyond the
comfort zone. I want to thank each and every member
of our community of faith and learning for rising to this
challenge daily.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate
Year 12 students on completing their 13 years of
schooling and their Higher School Certificate exams.
Our prayers are with you as you build on your Catholic
education and commence further study or work.
As we await the coming of the Christ child together, I
wish you all a happy and holy Christmas!
Jump Up&Down 4Kids
At midday on Friday 13 November 2015, primary
and secondary schools from across the Diocese of
Parramatta, as well as staff from the education office
participated in the Jump Up&Down 4Kids campaign against the
detention of children.
Throughout the year, Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta
schools have been raising awareness about the plight of refugees
and asylum seekers in Australia. The Jump Up&Down 4Kids
campaign was organised by the Catholic Education Office
Sydney.
St Agnes Catholic High School, Rooty Hill students jumped up and down
for children in detention.
Students from Loyola Senior High School, Mount Druitt.
Selfie for World Teachers’ Day
In the lead up to World Teachers’
Day on 30 October 2015, students
thanked their teachers by sending in
selfies with their teachers accompanied
by 25 words or less on what inspired
them about their teacher.
The winning entry came from Xavier
College, Llandilo student Tiffany
Anderson who nominated her teacher,
Justine Phillips. Justine won an iPad
mini and Tiffany won $200 worth of
iTunes vouchers.
Teachers from across the Diocese attending a Leading Mathematics and
Teaching course at St Joseph's Centre for Reflective Living, Baulkham Hills
took time to Jump 4 Kids.
Students from St Francis of Assisi Primary, Glendenning.
“Miss Phillips is a dedicated teacher who’s committed to her students, always
prepared in class and at shows, but never accepts the recognition she deserves,”
says Tiffany Anderson.
Greg Whitby
Executive Director of Schools
@gregwhitby
blog: bluyonder.wordpress.com
“An amazing teacher. Always helpful and always learning
from her. Constantly making an effort to relate to us.
Makes learning fun,” is what St Columba's Catholic College,
Springwood student Annabella Noussis-Stanisic had to say
about her teacher Megan Weaver.
"Miss Devine inspires me because she is so smart about the
body and bones. She comes up with interesting ideas. She is
kind and compassionate,” says Jacob Camilleri, St John’s Primary,
Riverstone.
12 CatholicOutlook | DECEMBER 2015
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