Principal’s Message
This last fortnight, the world’s attention has continued to focus on the escalating nightmare that is the conflict between Hamas and Israel. We speak of the thousands of innocent victims caught up in the fight with families forced to flee from their homes, the sick and infirm unprotected as bombs rain on hospitals, and children who will be traumatised for life, terrorised by the sounds of buildings crashing around them, sirens blasting and bombs exploding.
One of the places that I was fortunate enough to visit during my pilgrimage earlier this year was a little school called The Holy Child Program located in Bethlehem. This is a very small school for children with special needs that require an alternative setting. As you can read in the poster below, some of this need is literacy and numeracy but there is also a need for support as a result of mental health and trauma rehabilitation. Fees to attend are very modest. Unfortunately, as a result of the conflict, many parents are no longer in a financial position to send their children to this school and the school’s source of funds has disappeared.
This children at this small school welcomed us with open, unquestioning arms, as only innocent young children can do. St Ursula’s is renowned for its big-heartedness and generosity and I understand that some of our community are doing it tough with the cost of living but I ask each family to consider this prayer that I often find myself saying, “There but for the grace of God go I”, and if you can support this beautiful community, the invitation to do so is here.
And let our united thoughts and prayers join with Pope Francis:
“Let us continue to pray for Ukraine,
as well as for the serious situation in Palestine and Israel, and for other regions at war,
particularly, in Gaza, may space be opened to guarantee humanitarian aid,
and may the hostages be released right away.
Let no one abandon the possibility that the weapons might be silenced — let there be a ceasefire.”
National Catholic Reporter – 30 October 2023
We live in such a wonderful country and St Ursula’s is blessed in so many ways in its facilities and, most importantly, in its community – the staff, students and their families – and we give thanks to God for those blessings every day.
A warm welcome to our new College Principal
Looking forward to 2024, we warmly welcomed Ms Vivienne Awad to the College last Monday where she met with the College Leadership Team and the staff and enjoyed a lively lunch with the young women who will be her 2024 Senior Student Leadership Team.
It augers well for a smooth transition.
God bless each and every one of you and keep you safe from harm.
