From Ms Allum

I have been thinking about how hard it is for our young people, growing up in such a complex, troubled world. The news from Israel and Gaza is truly distressing. The outbreak of war, the targeting of civilians and the impact on communities across the Middle East – Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanese and beyond – fill our nightly news and social media feeds. Our hearts go out to all people throughout the region and their families and friends around the globe.

The expressions of anti-semitism and neo-nazism, here in Sydney, have also been very disturbing. Many in our School community will have been saddened and troubled by the vote in the referendum on Saturday. None of these things are easy to confront or contemplate, and it is all made far worse by social media, which, in many areas, is filled with racism, terrorism, anti-semitism and hatred.

I want our Jewish families to know that we abhor the anti-semitism that we have witnessed on the streets of Sydney recently, and we will do our best to look after our Jewish students and protect them, as far as we are able, from such demonstrations of hatred, abuse and discrimination.

I want our Indigenous students and their families to know that, as a school, we will continue to strive for reconciliation and equity.

I also want to acknowledge that there are many other parts of the world that continue to be war-torn, or suffering significant poverty and disadvantage. We will do our best to look after all our students, of all faiths and backgrounds, who are worried about loved ones overseas, to protect them from hatred, fear, racism and all of the other evils of the world.

We think of our broken world, and I would like to share this prayer with everyone:

A Prayer in Time of Conflict

Almighty and most gracious God,

in whose kingdom justice and peace are to be found,

we pray for an immediate end to the bitter conflict in Israel and Gaza.

We hold before you all who have lost loved ones in recent days,

those who are displaced,

and innocent victims of terrorism, violence and acts of war.

We pray also for our own nation in this unsettled time.

Take down all barriers of intolerance, bigotry, suspicion and hatred,

and guide us to build a world in which all your children are treated with respect, dignity and compassion.

We make these and all our prayers through Jesus Christ Our Lord,

the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Need to talk…?

13YARN, or 13 92 76 is a crisis support line for First Nations people.

Kids Helpline- Call their 24/7 helpline, 1800 55 1800, or use their online messaging service that’s available on their website.

Beyond Blue- Again, call on their 24/7 helpline, 1300 22 4636 or use their online services.

Able to help financially?

There are a number of appeals you might be able to support:

Seen something distressing on-line?

The safety commissioner has released guidelines and information about how to report distressing material on-line. Follow this link.

And finally, parents – keep an eye on your daughters, talk to them about what they might be seeing on-line, and encourage them to talk to you about anything which they have seen or read which has upset them. As I said at the beginning of the piece, it’s so hard for our young people of today…

Jenny Allum
Head of School