St Francis of Assisi College - Term 3 - Week 9

Season of Creation

Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our Common Home. This year, the theme for the season is ‘Listen to the Voice of Creation’.

Amplifying marginalised voices

This year’s theme focuses on listening to those voices, which are not heard. They include women and girls, Indigenous Peoples, migrants, youth, the economically marginalised and people suffering from systemic racism. These are the diverse voices of those who have the least, whether they live in developed or developing nations. Many are already responding to climate change related catastrophes and the loss of biodiversity. They have contributed the least to the climate crisis yet suffer the most from climate injustice such as environmental racism and gender injustice.

They have voices, and they have raised them, but what they have said has not led to enough action at the global level. We are called to amplify their voices through advocacy. Advocacy based on evidence is meant to influence powerful decision-makers to address the root causes of injustice, fulfil human rights, and promote the well-being of all. Evidence includes what those affected have to say, their experiences and their solutions.

Advocacy is not the same as speaking on behalf of someone, but is rather lifting up what they have said and making sure it is heard by those who hold power. Advocacy can be a potent way for us to amplify the voices of those who are too often silenced or ignored, a way of showing solidarity, and a way of living our faith. [Proverbs 31:9]

International Day of Peace - End Racism

Build peace, each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

We understand that achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race. As Secretary-General António Guterres has said:

“Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life in every society. It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality. And it continues to deny people their fundamental human rights. It destabilizes societies, undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and … the linkages between racism and gender inequality are unmistakable.”

We all have a role to play in fostering peace. And tackling racism is a crucial way to contribute.

We can work to dismantle the structures that entrench racism in our midst. We can support movements for equality and human rights everywhere. We can speak out against hate speech – both offline and online. We can promote anti-racism through education and reparatory justice.

Through the 2022 theme for the International Day of Peace “End racism. Build peace” we are invited to join the efforts of the United Nations as they work towards a world free of racism and racial discrimination; a world where compassion and empathy overcome suspicion and hatred and a world that we can truly be proud of.

High Expectations of All

One of our Pillars at St Francis of Assisi College is ‘Excellent Catholic Education’, and there are many contributing factors that combine to deliver on this commitment to excellence. At the College, we are openly committed to excellence in everything we do, and excellence is not perfection.

Some of these factors are pragmatic, day to day non-negotiables, that both school staff and students must all commit to as part of the bigger picture. This commitment to the whole enables the range of outstanding opportunities to emerge for staff and students.

With respect to students, some of these non-negotiables include:

Wearing our College uniform well every day.
Using and respecting the range of ICT’s (e.g. student laptops) provided for student learning.
Respecting our school environment and resources (e.g. lunchtime sports equipment, student kitchen).

We have been very happy with the high levels of personal responsibility shown by our students overall, and thank parents and carer’s for supporting their children, and the College staff, in maintaining these high standards.

Nathan Hayes, Principal