Higher Things

In our daily life we are targeted by relentless advertising that is supported by popular culture that prizes aspiration and indulgence. The Beatitudes challenge us not to give up all of our material possessions and live a life of austerity but rather, to use our gifts, our talents and our material well being for the service of others. The purpose of personal sacrifice and restraint during Lent is not to punish or to suffer. Rather it is to provide perspective on a life that can be easily hijacked by self serving commercial interests who regard people most exclusively as consumers rather than as humans. By liberating ourselves from the pressure to keep pace with our aspirational goals, we create a space in our hearts and minds to contemplate the presence and meaning of God in our lives.

Our opening School Mass for 2020 was a beautiful celebration of all that is good about our community; a prayerful and rich liturgical experience brought to life by the engagement of our girls through music, singing, prayer and reflection. Our College theme for 2020; On the Road, presented itself throughout our Mass and most particularly through the presentation of badges to our Year 12 leaders and Bibles to our new Year 7 students. It was a celebration of hope as much as it was of the gifts of our community. We were delighted to welcome Bishop Brian Mascord to the College to celebrate Mass along with members of the College Board and Company. These are important milestones in the rhythm of our College. Thank you to all who contributed to the celebration.

Our Year 7 students and staff have spent the last three days on camp at Wombaroo and we look forward to hearing their stories of camp life after they have a restful weekend.

In a school named for Mary, it was fitting that we listened to the Gospel of the Visitation, the story of Mary on the road to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. Bishop Brian invited all of us to understand Mary in a new way, not as a docile subservient and submissive woman but rather as a woman who stepped up and stepped forward with courage; a strong and feisty woman who found herself living a reality somewhat opposed to the status quo of her time. This was Mary, Star of the Sea, Mother to all; who on her road, found favour with God, treasured her experiences, pondered them in her heart and was faithful in every step on the road until the very end.

Bishop Brian presented her as a model to imitate and a rebel. Interestingly some suggest that the original meaning of the name Mary is in fact ‘rebel’. He drew a fine distinction in the nuances and subtlety of language about the vast difference between choosing to be a rebel and being rebellious. Being rebellious is often antagonistic and searches for reasons to say no and to looks for flaws and faults. In contrast the choice to be a rebel allows the individual to find his or her own voice, to be compelled to seek independence in thought and action and to challenge conventional thinking in order to serve, create, think or learn with authenticity and integrity.

We begin the year in praying together but the model of Mary is not just about prayer and all that is holy. Sometimes we compartmentalise things and ideas and inspiration because that makes our lives easy and ordered. We need to open up our world view and consider being on the road in terms of learning. Of course, we should, as Bishop Brian suggested, avoid rebelliousness and acts of rebellion because hopefully in this community they are entirely unnecessary.

To find that sense of rebel in ourselves is a positive attribute, on any road but particularly on the road to learning. The rebel seeks more, wants more, asks questions, yearns for answers, sets personal bests, rebels against predictable outcomes and learns to embrace opportunities for personal expression through major works and through IB projects which invite students to wonder and to ask themselves: ‘what if?’

It’s become almost a cliché in education to talk about life-long learning. It’s a catch phrase that can be dropped into conversations, meetings and school newsletters. It’s a cliché and a catch phrase until it isn’t any more, until each person in the community rebels against the pedestrian and celebrates the great joy that can be found in learning, in discovery, in opening up possibilities on the road. Hopefully the road to learning here can be about rebels seeking together what might be possible. This is what we do here and how we learn together.

As Lisa Damour considers in her book Under Pressure ‘Anxiety is a gift, handed down by evolution, to keep humans safe.’ It is a built-in security system to safeguard us from our world and at times from ourselves. With a considered approach, anxiety can be a supportive friend assisting our awareness and our decision making. The key is understanding this security system and responding accordingly. NB - The response does not always have to be panic or alarm!

This week’s Parenting Ideas article has some practical tips for managing teenage anxiety. As the term continues, I suggest these may be helpful considerations for your parenting toolbox. The article in the downloads introduces you to defusion, mindfulness, deep breathing and exercise and is well worth a read. As mentioned, Lisa Damour’s Under Pressure is also a fantastic resource for all parents as you support your daughters with stress and anxiety.

We conducted many scientific experiments over the two days but one of my favourites was testing blood pressure levels. We tested our blood pressure under stress, when we were relaxed and after exercise. It was interesting as everyone except me had the highest blood pressure after exercise, where my blood pressure reached the highest under stress.

The most fascinating part of the Learning Lab was when we entered the Anatomy Lab to see real organs. Whilst in the lab, I saw real lungs, hearts, intestines and other organs. We picked up some of the organs (with gloves on) and had to find certain parts such as the diaphragm on the cadaver.

It was very interesting and I really enjoyed the experience. After seeing how complex and fascinating the human body is, I would like to pursue a career in medicine.

Lucy Moore, Year 8

Rule vs Law

We were very excited to attend the Rule vs Law two day Learning Lab at the University of Wollongong in the past holidays. We enjoyed the workshop; it was a great experience. On the first day, we learnt the difference between Rule and Law, as well as how it is applicable to our everyday lives and those of our community.

We learnt many things about Law and Rule and the differences and similarities between the two. We are very thankful for this opportunity and will definitely attend another Leaning Labs event.

Alexandra Jones Year 9 and Amelie Hutchins Year 8

DIRECT DEBIT OPTION - if you would like to continue or commence Direct Debit arrangements please complete the request form (included with statement) and return to the College.

Leaving the College: Just a reminder, if a student is withdrawn from the College one full term’s notice must be given in writing to the Principal. If one term’s notice is not given a full term’s fee will be charged.

Leave of Absence: If a student applies for leave of absence for a holiday or travel, school fees are to be paid prior to approval of leave.