Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

Year 10 Encounter Tales

On 18 November our Year 10 students headed off for their Encounter Experiences. A group of students headed to Cape York for an eight-day Immersion Experience, some of which was spent on the Wurrey Homeland. In their blog, the students described their growing friendship with Uncle Bernie and Aunty Cheryl ‘

To end the night we all sat around the fire and spoke to Bernie and Cheryl about their rich history, and allowed us to understand their perspectives and beliefs. They spoke about their role in the local community, and we had a long, open discussion about how to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous people. Aunty Cheryl offered her progressive and inspirational perspective: “you cannot change the past, you can only change the future.” ‘

The students who attended this immersion had an incredible experience and are now considering ways they can share their learning with the wider Santa Sabina community. 

A group of students were involved in the Community Engagement Encounter which involved working with community groups and charities such as Catholic Care, St Vincent De Paul and St Merkorious Charity. A group of 10 students also spent four days at Jesuit Social Services at Emerton.

The students who attended this Encounter commented that they enjoyed ‘being able to work together as a group to make a difference to people’s lives’ and one noted that it was ‘enlightening because I was able to indirectly help hundreds of people by cleaning, packing snack packs, etc and I could learn about the impact of my work.’

The largest group of students took part in the Career Encounter and attended workplaces all over Sydney. These students were asked when they completed their Encounter to identify three learnings they had taken from their experience.

‘The most important aspect that I learnt during my time on work experience is the ability to manage time efficiently. Another thing that I learnt was how teamwork can truly make the workplace more productive and enjoyable. Lastly I learnt that better communication skills could improve the overall productivity of workers. and 1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and clarify things if you are unsure 2. Be aware and observant of the needs of others to best support them and be able to take initiative 3. Ask for feedback and be open to improving and learning new things’ were just some of the many insights these students had.

When the Year 10 students returned to school on Thursday 28 November, they undertook a Future Proofing Encounter Program and a Leadership and Formation Encounter Program.

I would like to thank Ms Poynting, Ms Guirguis and Mr Walker who have worked all year to ensure that the Year 10 Encounter Program was both successful and meaningful. 

A Christmas Prayer for Peace

Let us pray that strength and
courage abundant be given to each of us
as we work together to heal and renew our world where
human dignity, freedom, and human flourishing prevail.
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That the good that is in our hearts may day by day be magnified
and generously shared with others especially the unwanted and
unloved in our midst and those who have no place to call home;
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That each of us will come to see more clearly not that which
divides us, but that which unites us;
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That each hour and day may bring us closer to a greater understanding
and mutual respect for one another, not of one against another;
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That the true spirit of this Christmas Season, the Commemoration of the Birth of Jesus, its joy,
its beauty, its hope, and above all His abiding love of every person who has ever been born,
may live within each of us and to those entrusted to our care;
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That the blessings of peace be ours, the peace to build and grow,
to care and to comfort one another with compassion, to live in harmony
and humility with those with ideas and dreams different than our own, of age, color,
ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs, and lifestyle, so that we might pray, live
and work together and to plan our future with confidence. Amen.

Let us make our way to Bethlehem and look earnestly upon this Word, which has been made flesh, the immense God who has been made a little Child. Amen
(Office of Health Services, Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph – 2017)Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care