Principal’s Message
As we settle into Term 4 at the College, we cannot but help be impacted by the horrific news coming from the Middle East.
As a staff, we gathered and prayed this prayer at our first staff meeting for the term.
Prayer for Peace in the Middle East
God of mercy and compassion,
of grace and reconciliation,
pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East:
Jews, Muslims and Christians,
Palestinians and Israelis.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope,
oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation,
that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,
and peace and justice could be experienced by all.
St Angela: Pray for us
St Ursula: Protect our future
Amen
We also remember all those in Ukraine with continuing violence and destruction. The sentiment in this picture is one that I feel everyone can relate to.
Time is flying
Here in the safety of Australia, it really does seem like this year has flown and that it is only 62 days until Christmas.
The final term of the 2023 academic year brings with it the beginning of the HSC. Our girls have been well prepared by their teachers and, after all their hard work, should be feeling confident in approaching each paper. They will do their best and that will be enough.
Mr Anthony Cleary, Director of Mission and Identity, reminded all in this week’s Catholic Weekly that the HSC, while important, does not define a young person despite the fact that schools are judged and ranked by their results. We keep all HSC students, particularly our girls, in our prayers as they navigate the rest of these exams.
We also welcomed back our students and staff from the Immersion to Cambodia and heard from them what they had seen and learnt, especially what they had learnt about themselves. I do sincerely thank Mrs Monk and Mrs Nader for their vision in bringing the immersion to fruition as a visible witness to our commitment to this Ursuline school.
This term, we welcome Ms Linda Mudaliar, who has been appointed our new Head of Operations. Linda comes to us with both school and corporate experience and will be a wonderful addition to our College replacing Ms Claire Baroni. Linda’s job is a key one within the College, especially in these times of increasing financial stress. I am sure that you will make her feel very welcome.
World Teachers’ Day
This coming Friday 27 October, is World Teachers’ Day 2023. It is an opportunity to recognise the significant contributions teachers make in and out of the classroom, at the individual level and in our communities. They are skilled in educating, inspiring and supporting our students. Our teachers go above and beyond for our students at St Ursula’s. We acknowledge them and say:
Thank you, we appreciate you!
I finish the newsletter as I began it.
Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with each and every one of us, in each interaction we have, whether at home, at the College, at work or in the community.
May the peace of Christ find a home in your hearts this day and always.
