Year 8 Reflection Day: YMT – Social Justice

A sincere “Thank you” to YMT Australia (Youth Mission Team) for a wonderful Year 8 Reflection Day held on the first day of term for our Year 8 students. We are blessed to have an amazing hall to use for the day and be fed with Dominos Pizza from Five Dock for a special lunch time treat. The icebreaker games warmed up all the year group and set the scene for a day of fun and thinking about challenges that surround every one of us. The sharing sessions provided by the individual team members were stories that Year 8 could relate to and the messages were reiterated throughout the day that we all need to realise the need to respond to injustice in the world. Most importantly this begins by appreciating the dignity and uniqueness of every human person regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or social status. Rather than suppressing those unique qualities, we should appreciate and respect them in ourselves and in others through kindness, empathy and humility. The needs of our world can appear so overwhelming that we can easily underestimate the difference we can make. Yet it’s possible to impact the whole of humanity, affirming human dignity one person at a time.

Sometimes it is easy to label others and relate to them in a way that does not respect their uniqueness and individuality. It is important to recognize the potential we have to up-build and empower others through the acceptance we show them. This session looked at the challenge to treat others with respect, and in turn, also allow others to see us as we are.

The prayer focus at the completion of the day reminded us of the unconditional love that God has for us. Despite our shortcomings, God loves and accepts us for who we are. While wanting us to know our value in His sight, Jesus doesn’t force Himself into our lives but waits patiently for us to open the door. We celebrated this with a prayer and a candle that little by little shone light in the darkness.

Year 8 – your involvement in the day was sensational. What an awesome group of young people; our biggest year group at the College!

Mrs Jane Sullivan, Religious Education Coordinator