{"id":22623,"date":"2026-05-15T15:36:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T05:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/domremy\/?post_type=article&#038;p=22623"},"modified":"2026-05-15T15:36:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T05:36:50","slug":"from-the-principals-desk-2","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/domremy\/article\/from-the-principals-desk-2\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Principal&#8217;s Desk"},"content":{"rendered":"<h5 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Prayer for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dear Lord,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your ascension into heaven<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">fills me with joy<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">because the time for me to stand around looking<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">at what you are doing is over.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s time for me to be involved.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What you have entrusted to me<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">cracks the shell of my individualism<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and of my standing around looking,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">making me feel personally responsible<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">for the salvation of the world.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lord, you have entrusted your Gospel to me<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">so that I might proclaim it on every street in the world.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Grant me the same strong faith<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">that your first apostles had<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">so that I might not be conquered by fear,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">that difficulties might not stop me,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">that misunderstanding might not dishearten me,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">but that always and everywhere,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I might be your glad tidings,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">that I might reveal your love,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">just as the martyrs and saint did<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">throughout the history of all the peoples of the world. Amen\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em>Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b><i>(Dominican Fathers, Roman Province of Saint Catherine of Siena)<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h5><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ecclesiasticalsewing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BATMAN_Ascension_Day_in_water_color_style-1.webp\" alt=\"A Journey Through Ascension Day \u2013 Ecclesiastical Sewing\" \/><\/h5>\n<h5><b>Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and Friends<\/b><\/h5>\n<h6><b>Finding the Light Within<\/b><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In a world that often feels overshadowed by uncertainty and challenge, I recently found myself reflecting on a powerful sentiment shared by Pope Francis:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;From my point of view, God is the light that illuminates the darkness, even if it does not dissolve it, and a spark of divine light is within each of us.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/05\/image.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-22740\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/05\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/05\/image.png 850w, https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/05\/image-300x141.png 300w, https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/05\/image-768x361.png 768w, https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/05\/image-319x150.png 319w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This quote serves as a beautiful reminder of our mission here at our Presentation school. As we look to the example of our foundress, Nano Nagle, we see a woman who did not wait for the darkness of 18th-century Ireland to disappear before she began her work. Instead, she took her lantern into the narrow lanes of Cork, becoming a beacon of hope for those forgotten by society.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Following in Nano\u2019s footsteps means recognising that we don\u2019t need to solve every global crisis to make a meaningful difference. We are called to &#8220;illuminate&#8221; the darkness through small, consistent acts of faith and service. This is how we live the Charism: by carrying the lantern.<\/span><\/p>\n<h6><b><i>Living the \u201cDivine Spark\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com\/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSb5WIR944lT0jujGBzGtkev4cTTynYWczFmi1fvFA7Ng&amp;s\" alt=\"Vibrant energy backgrounds Photos - Download Free High-Quality Pictures | Freepik\" \/>As a school community, we put this &#8220;divine spark&#8221; into practice by:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Valuing the Individual:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Nano Nagle believed in the inherent dignity of every person. By nurturing the unique spark in every student, we ensure that our school is a place where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Courageous Service:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In the spirit of Nano\u2019s &#8220;deeds, not words,&#8221; we encourage our girls to step outside their comfort zones, whether through social justice initiatives or simple acts of kindness in the hallway.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Resilience in Faith:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Pope Francis notes that light may not always &#8220;dissolve&#8221; the darkness. Our Catholic identity provides the lantern of faith that helps us navigate the path forward, even when the destination is not yet clear.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6><b><i>A Call To Action<\/i><\/b><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com\/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ-JP98SRbAeVrynVmS_ePQEXPw4okj2Q2QgfImwEIdRQ&amp;s\" alt=\"Call To Action (CTA) - Definition, Strategies And Examples For B2B\" \/>As we move into the coming weeks, I invite every family to reflect on how they can be a spark for someone else. Perhaps it is a word of encouragement to a neighbour, or a moment of quiet gratitude at the dinner table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You will read later in this Newsletter of our charitable drive for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal and the Vinnies \u201cNot\u201d Sleepout. Let us see if we can make this one of our biggest drives yet, creating a spark for those in our community who need it most.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When we collectively lean into our Presentation charism, we don&#8217;t just talk about the light, we become it. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our students grow not only in knowledge but in spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h6><b>Reflecting on the Past Fortnight\u00a0<\/b><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The vibrant energy filling the College over the past few weeks has been remarkable. From the determination on the sports fields and courts to the creative spark in Eisteddfod performances, it has been a period of immense growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whether navigating the pressure of a finals game or perfecting a performance, our students have demonstrated a resilience that extends far beyond the classroom. It is heartening to see them embrace these opportunities with such enthusiasm, supporting one another and pushing the boundaries of their potential. By leaning into their passions, our girls are discovering their unique God-given talents and letting that inner light shine.<\/span><\/p>\n<h6><b>Looking Ahead<\/b><\/h6>\n<p><b><i>Domremy Day: Friday 29 May<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We will soon celebrate the <\/span><b>Feast Day of St. Joan of Arc<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the patroness of Domremy College. To honor this occasion, our entire community will come together for our annual <\/span><b>Domremy Day<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> celebrations, beginning with a College Mass. This is a highlight of our calendar, and we look forward to making 2026 a truly memorable experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Note: This is a compulsory day for all students, and attendance will be noted on Homeroom reports. Please refer to the Compass letter for the full itinerary and expectations.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><i>Staff Development &amp; Spirituality Days<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com\/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzwEn-qFQiRXITbBv-n3pV8TYsTxs5dLiAMl_wAKYRxQ&amp;s\" alt=\"No School - Staff Development Day \u2014 Rivertree Academy\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A letter has been sent via Compass regarding two upcoming pupil-free days:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Friday 5 June:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Staff Spirituality and Formation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tuesday 16 June:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Staff Professional Learning and Curriculum Reform planning.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These days are vital for the spiritual and professional renewal of our staff as we prepare for upcoming curriculum changes. Students are not required at school, and we encourage them to use this time for revision and assignment work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our students grow not only in knowledge but in spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blessings on you and your families,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Mrs Antoinette McGahan\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Principal<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prayer for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Dear Lord,\u00a0 Your ascension into heaven fills me with joy because the time for me to stand around looking at what you are doing is over. It\u2019s time for me to be involved. What you have entrusted to me cracks the shell of my individualism [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":22718,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","class_list":["post-22623","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/domremy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/22623","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/domremy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/domremy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/domremy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22623"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/domremy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/domremy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}