Year 7 Reflection Day
Have you ever thought about acceptance? What does it mean to accept somebody and how can you be more accepting of others in your life? Year 7 certainly have as part of their Year 7 Reflection Day this week.
At the College we have six values, one for each year group that build our understanding of our College motto “Serviam”. Each value has four further elements that help us understand the value more and how we can implement the value in our life. While these values are called our Ursuline values, they are Christian values based on the Gospel and our faith. St Angela Merici called her company of women to “look to him” and always follow the values and teachings of Jesus, just as the College does today.
Throughout the Year 7 Reflection Day, our newest students learnt that Jesus is the model of how to live out these values in our lives. Students learned about acceptance, diversity, inclusivity and affirmation as a starting point in their Ursuline journey. The focus of the day was on the scripture passage from John 13:20 where Jesus says –
Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and anyone who accepts me accepts the one who sent me.
With this Scripture focus we examined through games, activities, large group and smaller group discussion, how we can:
- Be open to others without judgement
- Invite others into our lives
- Seek unity while respecting our differences
- Affirm the good in ourselves and others
Students also heard from our College Co-Captains who took time out of their busy Year 12 studies to explain how the College theme for 2025 ‘Together we rise” can be used by Year 7 to live out their Ursuline values. As part of the liturgy of the day students were asked to write the things that make them different and unique on an image of a girl. These images were laid down in the shape of a cross, in the middle of the group, to represent how all our diverse qualities and differences make a greater whole.
The Sydney Catholic School theme for 2025 is “May we always seek what is good, true, and beautiful.” As witnesses of Christ, we are called to seek and promote what is good, true, and beautiful in creation. Finally as a part of the day students were asked to affirm themselves before affirming the members of their PC class. This is about recognising what is good and positive in others and showing them they are appreciated and that they belong.
We hope this day helps our students in Year 7 to transition effectively and feel like they are an important part of this fabulous community. We would like to thank our Captains Zara and Elyana for speaking to Year 7 and the PC team for their work on the day, especially Ms Quail and Ms Murray. Thanks also to Mrs Monk (REC) and Mrs Nader (Assistant REC and Social Justice and Outreach Coordinator) for their work facilitating the day.
