Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members

This week I have had the opportunity to attend the Association of Catholic School Principals Conference in Wollongong.  The theme of the Conference was “New Hope New Growth’ a celebration of catholic educational leadership in NSW.  An opportunity to come together, reconnect and discuss the future of catholic education especially after the pandemic, fires and floods that dramatically impacted the work of our catholic schools as places of learning.

In this article I want to focus on the key theme of “New Hope, New Growth’ and what that might mean or look like for our students at St Clare’s.  In the context of student learning in Catholic schools, hope and growth hold particular significance as they align with the principles and values of the Catholic faith informed by the life of Jesus and God’s Love.

As a Catholic school we place a strong emphasis on character formation (growth in character and values), fostering virtues, and developing the whole person.  The terms, Hope and Growth should encompass the formation of students' moral and ethical foundations, nurturing values such as integrity, compassion, justice, humility, and respect for others.  At St Clare’s the aim is to foster personal growth that aligns with the teachings of Jesus Christ and prepares our students so as to enable them to apply these values in their academic pursuits, relationships, and future endeavours.  This is embodied in our schools Vision and Mission which I have included at the end of this article.

Hope as its own entity refers to the belief in the transformative power of faith and God's grace.  In Catholic schools, students are encouraged to have hope in God's love and guidance as they embark on their educational journey.  For students it may represent a fresh start, a positive outlook, and the belief in their potential for improvement and success.  At St Clare’s we want to instil optimism, motivation, and resilience in our students.  We want to encourage them to approach their learning with enthusiasm and a sense of possibility, even if they face challenges or setbacks.  To use these setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than signs of failure as they continue their journey through life.

Growth in the catholic school context signifies the ongoing process of personal and intellectual development in a student’s life through the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.  At St Clare’s the focus is not only on academic growth but also on holistic growth, encompassing faith and spiritual formation, moral, and social dimensions that emphasise the importance of being lifelong learners leading to the idea of ongoing personal growth.  We want our students to push beyond their comfort zones, explore new ideas, engage in critical thinking and reasoning, acquire new abilities, and expand their intellectual, emotional, and social capacities to positively contribute to society.

Students need to have the belief and hope that their education can contribute to building a more just and compassionate society.  Students are encouraged at St Clare’s and also in life to recognise the needs of others, work towards social justice, and to be agents of positive change in their communities. The hope is always that the education they receive equips them with the knowledge skills and values necessary to build confidence in themselves, to have a voice that can bring about a brighter future.

In a Catholic school, I believe hope and growth go hand in hand, without one you cannot have the other.  HOPE for student learning embodies the idea that every day is an opportunity for GROWTH, and the realisation of one's potential.  I encourage all students to approach their studies with optimism, embrace challenges, and remain determined in their pursuit of success no matter what it may look like for them.  I call on our students to embrace their potential, trust in God's plan, and contribute to the betterment of themselves and for the people around them.  Aspire to be the best they can be.

‘Together with Christ we serve our community’

Inspired by GOSPEL VALUES and the practical examples of St Mary of The Cross MacKillop and St Clare of Assisi our Mission is to…

CONNECT by:

Developing loving relationships that respect the diversity and dignity of all creation.
Exploring, understanding and celebrating our Faith, History and Tradition.
Sharing the wisdom of the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which we live and learn.

 LEARN by:

Embracing personal growth and achievement through education.
Nurturing critical, creative and reflective thinkers.
Developing resilience from positive thinking and problem-solving skills.

 ASPIRE to:

Become our best self spiritually, academically, physically, socially and emotionally.
Become an authentic person who makes a positive difference in the lives of others.
Become life-long learners.

RESPECT Creation:

By showing loving concern for each and every person.
By respecting each of God’s creatures and caring for the environment.
By celebrating our uniqueness

ENGAGE by:

Being open and prepared for new learning opportunities.
Fostering respectful conversations that will lead to personal growth and well-being.
Immersing ourselves in the Spiritual Life of the community.

Kind Regards

Phillip Gibney
Principal