FROM THE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
2023 Australian Education Awards
I am absolutely thrilled to share the news that our College has been named as Excellence Awardees in the 2022 Australian Education Awards for ‘Best Co-curricular Program – Arts’, ‘Best STEM Program’ and ‘Department Head of the Year’ for Shari Finlay, Head of Faculty Science. These awards acknowledge the incredible work of our Arts and STEM Faculties, and recognises the collegiality, passion and dedication of our entire academic teaching team, who continue to go above and beyond when designing and delivering engaging and inspiring programs for young women in North Queensland. I feel incredibly honoured and proud to serve this community and deeply understand that these awards further reflect the College’s Vision “to promote fullness of life and nurture excellence in learning for all young women in a joyful environment”.
Staff Update
On Friday, 19 May we said farewell to our Inclusive Education Program Leader, Lauren Newman, who has decided to embark on a new chapter in her professional journey, accepting an exciting opportunity elsewhere. While we are saddened to see her leave our College community, we are very proud of her achievements and the impact she has made during her time with us. I wish Lauren all the best in her new role and have no doubt that she will bring the same passion and dedication to her future endeavours.
On a positive note, I am very pleased to announce that Aimee Strickland has joined our expert teaching team! Aimee is a highly experienced educator who has come onboard as a Legal Studies and Humanities teacher.
Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World
On Friday I was honoured to attend a Mercy Partners Indigenous Encounter Day at St Teresa’s Garbutt along with Sister Helen Mary Peters, our College Board Chair, Miss Regina, our Indigenous Student Liaison Officer, Rebecca Langford, College Chaplain and Teacher, Diana Muftic, accompanied by five of our Year 12 leaders – Ruth, Charlize, Florina, Sanije & Patience. It was a day for deep reflection, deep listening to stories, prayer, yarning and connecting. There was also some discussion held to explore and unpack the upcoming Voice Referendum. As you are all aware Australians will soon be asked to vote in a referendum asking ‘Do you support an alteration to the Constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?’.
Many perspectives, concerns and hopes were shared on Friday and Patience, Year 12 Senior said simply and with great conviction “it should be every person’s responsibility to educate themselves on this referendum”. We were also provided with information shared by Fr Frank Brennan: who has published a book called An Indigenous Voice to Parliament – Considering a Constitutional Bridge. He suggests ten steps for Catholics inspired by our Catholic social teaching when approaching the forthcoming referendum. He couches the suggestions in terms appropriate for those of us who are not Indigenous. These can be found by reading the following article: https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/fr-frank-brennan-sj-how-to-vote-on-the-voice/ . It was a deeply reflective day and I was particularly moved by various attendees, such as local Elders and community members sharing their past and current hurt, their hopes and their dreams for a better future.
‘For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, we must act today for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all’. Father Frank Brennan
National Sorry Day 26 May, National Reconciliation Week 27 May – 3 June and Mabo Day 3 June
“We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.” Reconciliation Australia Website.
Ruth Misi, our Cultural Engagement Prefect and Miss Regina, our Indigenous Student Liaison Officer, have been working closely with students and staff to find ways for our community to acknowledge National Sorry Day on 26 May, followed by various activities, story sharing and a deepening of understanding as a part of National Reconciliation Week which begins on 27 May and Mabo Day on June 3rd. Our College recognises that we must provide the time and space to allow real dialogue to happen, learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how one each of us can join the national reconciliation effort. Mabo Day on June 3, commemorates Mer Island man Eddie Koiki Mabo and his successful efforts to overturn terra nullius, or ‘land belonging to no-one’. Following the historic Mabo decision, Australia’s Federal Parliament passed the Native Title Act 1993 which established a legal framework for native title claims throughout Australia by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There are currently hundreds of Native Title applications that have been lodged to this day.
The theme of National Reconciliation Week 2023 is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ and is a strong call to action, encouraging all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise. In our Catholic Mercy Ministry, we are further called to use our hearts, our words and our actions to help create a better, more just, more loving and inclusive Australia.
The National Reconciliation Website found at https://www.reconciliation.org.au/ provides information and resources to learn more about National Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week and Mabo Day.
God Bless
Amber Hauff
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
