Non Nobis Solum - Not for ourselves alone

St Hilda’s School, QLD

The St Hilda’s Junior School Village embraces every opportunity to consider the needs of others, embracing our motto Non Nobis Solum meaning ‘Not For Ourselves Alone’. The girls at St Hilda’s strive to demonstrate the school values of love, compassion, hope and grace.

Encouraged by the Junior School Representative Council students support Anglican agencies across the Gold Coast through involvement in the St John’s Crisis Centre, Abri Aged Care and the Story Dogs program.

St John’s Crisis Centre supports people experiencing hardship. The School supports them through weekly donation of vegetables for meals. Girls donate vegetables in a basket with a sign that reads “Alone I am A Vegetable, But Together We Are a Meal”. This serves as a reminder of the power of a small donation and the ability to make a big difference in the lives of others through simple acts of kindness.

St Hilda’s has a strong connection with Abri Aged Care, visiting to spend time with residents, have a chat and participate in activities. The girls enjoy connecting with the residents, listening to their stories and learning from the wisdom and life experience of the residents.

In addition to supporting Gold Coast Anglican agencies, we also help the wider community. We support Story Dogs, which aims to develop the confidence of young readers by reading to Wendy and her dog, Lucy. St Hilda’s girls raised money to support the Story Dogs program and sponsor a St Hilda’s School jacket for Lucy, making her an important part of our school community.

Double celebration in commissioning

Overnewton Anglican Community College, VIC

On Saturday 29th April, Overnewton Anglican Community College celebrated the appointment of College Principal, Ms Emily FitzSimons, and Senior Chaplain, The Reverend Dr Theo Van der Nest, at a Commissioning Service held at Overnewton’s home church, St Paul’s Cathedral, in Melbourne.

Overnewton staff, students and community members present were welcomed to St Paul’s Cathedral by The Reverend Canon Robert Vun, Canon Missioner, and enjoyed a special service presided over by The Most Reverend Dr Philip Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne and Metropolitan of Victoria.

Elements of the order of service were led by members of the College Leadership Team and Student Executive, including Ms Anne McNaughton, Deputy Principal and Head of Canowindra Campus, and Mr Rob Huntington, Deputy Principal and Head of Yirramboi Campus, Charlie Biberhofer and Eliza Dowie, College Co-Captains, Gabrielle Edwards, Chair of the Student Representative Council, and Cooper Silverstein and Olivia Omotosho, Middle School Co-Captains.

Other distinguished guests who took part were Mr John Durow, Chair of the College Board, Ms Eleni KarantzasSavva, College Board Member and parent, The Reverend Carmel Hunter, founding parent of Overnewton Anglican Community College, and Reverend Robert Koren, Area Dean of the Hume Deanery.

Those in attendance were treated to beautiful musical items throughout the service. Mr Mark Slavec, St Paul’s Cathedral Organist, skilfully accompanied the Procession, while Mrs Carolyn Herndandez, Overnewton’s Head of Performing Arts, led the Overnewton Anglican Community College Senior Choir and instrumentalists to perform songs special to the College and an original work,

‘Commissioning Song’, that she especially composed for the service. The many talents of the musicians in the Overnewton Anglican Community College String Orchestra, led by Prudence Jury, were also on show. Joining Overnewton in January of this year, Ms Emily FitzSimons is an experienced educational leader who previously held positions such as Director of Teaching and Learning & Director of the Centre for Learning, Research and Innovation at The Geelong College, and Director of Learning and Teaching Excellence at St Peter’s College in Adelaide. A passionate advocate for the holistic development of young people, Emily’s values align closely with Overnewton’s commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive and courageous school culture, where each child is known and cherished for their uniqueness but, importantly, is also called to be an aspirational, thoughtful and compassionate contributor to the world.

“It was a special and humbling day for Reverend Theo and I on Saturday, when so many of our college community gathered in support of our Commissioning Service. St Paul’s Cathedral is a magnificent building and having the Anglican Archbishop preside over the service was special indeed.”

Ms FitzSimons