Beyond the Bell- Issue 3 by Santa Sophia Catholic College

Creative wr

HOME

by Dan Clayton

(Year

9 - 12

Winner)

Life in the city is distraught. The constant moving traffic, the long urban roads, and the endless hills of homes constantly exacerbate my disconnection with the land. It feels isolating, as though I have been torn from my roots. Today, the noise and development have become too much to bear. On a sudden, desperate impulse, I grabbed my keys and dropped everything. I needed a spontaneous escape. The anguish. The noise.

The disconnection. I left it all behind in the rearview mirror. There is still hope, and there is still my home, resting just over the Blue Mountains on the horizon. It remains largely untouched, blooming in the perfection that was once taken care of by my ancestors. Eventually, I find that calling. I find the call home. As I drive over the mountains and embrace the country around me, I find myself feeling more in place, more belonging, more at home. I swell up in tears as I return to Wiradjuri country— my home, my mob. I feel the love the land provides for me, found within the steep hills of Oberon and the warm, fresh air surrounding Bathurst. For once, the city's anguish disappears. I feel connected, not just to the people around me, but to the country itself.

WINNERS

I feel embraced by the land. The country does not judge me as the city does; it doesn’t judge my appearance, my voice, my personality, my struggles. lived. The land unconditionally loves me. I feel I am the first of the many generations in my family to finally start to heal from the dispossession and the trauma both my family and others have experienced. I am learning how beautiful my country is. Every time I walk down the dirt path from my grandparents' house in Bathurst, the land blooms and shines just for me. I always look in awe over the horizon, seeing the beautiful hills, Mount Panorama, and my home. This home was made for me millions of years before I was conceived.

The Spontaneous Trip -

By

Parinoor

Pabla (Year 5 - 8 Winner)

I was halfway through breakfast when Mum said, “Finish quickly We’re leaving in ten minutes.”

I froze “Leaving where?”

“You’ll see, ” she replied, grabbing her bag

That was the first strange thing. Mum never did surprises. She planned everything meals, weekends, even what time we left the house. But today felt different.

I rushed to pack a small bag, my thoughts spinning What if it’s somewhere boring?

What if it’s somewhere amazing?

In the car, I pressed my forehead against the window as we left our neighbourhood behind Houses turned into open roads Roads turned into trees Soon, everything looked unfamiliar

“Can I guess yet?” I asked.

“Nope,” Mum said calmly.

“Just one hint?”

She smiled. “Then it wouldn’t be spontaneous.”

That word stuck with me. Spontaneous. It sounded like something important was about to happen

The road narrowed into a winding track through thick forest The air grew cooler, and the world outside the car became quieter, as if it were waiting.

Then the car stopped

We got out

In front of us was a place I had never seen before. A hidden lake stretched between tall trees, its surface smooth like glass. Sunlight danced across the water, and everything felt still almost magical

I didn’t speak I just looked

“This is it,” Mum said. “No planning. No rush. Just a day to explore.”

We walked along narrow trails, listening to birdsong echo through the trees We found a wooden jetty stretching over the lake, and I sat at the edge, watching tiny ripples spread across the water.

Later, I followed a small hidden path and discovered a tiny waterfall tucked between rocks It felt like finding a secret the world had been hiding

If we had planned every detail, I don’t think we would have found any of this

By the time we left, the sky was turning orange.

I leaned back in the car seat, tired but happy in a way I couldn’t explain

“Best day ever, ” I said quietly

Mum glanced over and smiled. “Sometimes the best days are the ones you don’t plan ”

And I knew she was right

ZAC R WATCHINTERVIEW

Social Justice

Beyond Ourselves | Why Compassion Matters

The people they encounter are not fundamentally different from themselves, but individuals shaped by different circumstances and challenges These experiences highlight how interconnected communities truly are and challenge common stereotypes surrounding homelessness and disadvantage. Many individuals experiencing hardship are not simply seeking material support, but connection, respect and the opportunity to feel seen within their community. This encourages a shift in perspective from viewing compassion as charity to understanding it as a shared responsibility

The work of the Social Justice team aims to challenge this sense of separation and encourage students to engage more thoughtfully with the wider community. Through initiatives such as Project Compassion, Vinnies Van, the Winter Appeal, Hoodies for Hope and the Winter Sleepout, students are exposed to perspectives beyond their own experiences. They encourage students to move beyond assumptions and recognise the dignity and individuality of people whose experiences may differ significantly from their own.

Social Justice encourages students to reflect on their role within society and recognise the importance of supporting others rather than focusing only on themselves It exists not only in large initiatives, but also in everyday actions that support and uplift others within the community.

In a world where it can often feel easier to look away, choosing to care is what turns distance into awareness, and awareness into something we can no longer unsee

If you can't see good, do good. - Mr Loyola