Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
At the College Assembly last week our College Vice Captain, Tahlia Amos & Year 12 SRC representative Ethan Dawson introduced our Term 2 Pastoral Care theme of Relationships and its link to the Emmaus Program. The following is a copy of their address.
‘There is no doubt that SJPC is a big community, when we include our parent body, we consist of thousands of individuals. And yes there are times when we will not see eye to eye on certain issues but this cannot and should not prevent us from forming respectful relationships with one another.
Relationships are important in any organisation no matter how big or small. As a Catholic organisation we must approach each and every person with kindness and respect as one of our most important beliefs is that we are all made in the image of God. This adds another layer to the relationships we try to develop with one another. All throughout the New Testament we see Jesus developing sound relationships with those around him. To Jesus it did not matter whether you were a law abiding citizen, a person of great wealth and power or someone who society questioned your place. He treated all the same.
So how does the concept of the development of relationships fit with our Emmaus Project and in particular the Gospel message for your particular year group?
Year 7 are told to “Love each other and go and bear fruit” Surely this is fulfilled when we make a place for each other no matter how different they are from me.
Year 8s Gospel passage tells us not to worry about our life, how we look or dress. In supportive and meaningful relationships, it is not about how someone looks but rather what they have to offer in each situation.
Year 9s passage emphasises the idea that it is easy to love your friends and the ones who do good by you. The challenge is to be supportive of those who you are not necessarily best friends with, who you find difficult to get along with. You are told to “Do good to those who hate you”. What does this look like in the playground?
Year 10 is instructed to put others before yourself. Be conscious of not becoming selfish and looking after yourself alone. What happens when you put someone before yourself? How does it make you feel? How might it make them feel?
Year 11 is given a great example of Jesus caring for the community in both a physical and spiritual manner when we hear about the miracle of the 5 loaves and 2 fish. He made sure everyone was cared for. How will Year 11 care for each other this term?
Year 12 is encouraged to “Let your light shine before others, so they will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. We can only become the best version of ourselves when we feel the support of others around us.
And finally our Staff focus is on the Lost Sheep. We are required to try to build a relationship with ALL students and not to leave ONE behind.
In today’s world, especially in uncertain times, building respectful relationships is very important in our school community. As a Catholic school, we look to our leaders—teachers, staff, and student leaders—to help create a kind and caring environment. We are lucky to be part of a school where everyone can share their ideas and be treated with respect. It’s important that we all act with honesty, fairness, and care for others. When we do this, we help make our school a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
At a local level, as a College community, we can develop respectful relationships that contribute to our growth, maturity and sense of self-confidence. We need to exercise healthy self-expression, awareness and acceptance of others and ourselves. These elements enable us to feel accepted, positive and free to be ourselves.
Finally, remember God’s hope for us is to show love to all those we encounter in our lives. How are you going to live out this wish?’
Tahlia Amos & Ethan Dawson
Year 12 College Vice Captain / Year 12 SRC Representative
Tahlia and Ethan did a wonderful job in capturing the essence of our term’s theme.
In Week 8 of this term we will kick off the 2025 Kalawazi Development Project. The project offers our students the opportunity to come together and raise funds for the ongoing support the College gives to the education program of the students in our sister school in Kawalazi, Malawi, Africa. This year marks the 25th year of our partnership and will be highlighted by a special assembly where we will hear from members of the original Year 12 group who helped initiate the project along with the Principal of our sister school plus a mufti day. This is also a perfect opportunity for the College community to live the message of the Gospel through our Emmaus Program. Please give what you can when it comes to sponsorship of the students.
Until next time:
