Junior School Faith Education

Coen Agate (4 Blue) at the Easter Paraliturgy

Junior School Faith Education

Once again, this year has been a busy and spiritually fulfilling one for the boys in the Junior School.

Mr Gordon Dean Assistant Head of Junior School

We have been blessed to have the services of Fra Oscar as our College Chaplain.

Our fortnightly class Masses are a crucial part of the boys’ spiritual development offered by the College.

Each class Mass that Fra Oscar has celebrated has been a learning experience for the boys, and he has ensured that the message of Christ’s love for all has come through in a way that they can clearly understand. Most of the students received the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion in their parishes this year. These boys were well-prepared by their class teachers and we thank them for that preparation.

The boys in Year 6 benefited from a retreat in Term 1 to Camp Kelly, with a focus on leadership and the sacrament of Confirmation. Apart from a couple of broken arms, the retreat was an enjoyable experience for all.

During the course of the year staff members were able to spend some time in reflection on their own spiritual life, and this is thanks to the Mission and Identity Team who organised the Staff Reflection Day.

The Junior School was also involved in such activities as Unfair Day, collecting ring tops for Wheelchairs for Kids, football equipment for the schools in the remote areas in the north of the state, Project Compassion and the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal.

The weekly collection of mission money, the bulk of which goes to India, gave the boys the opportunity to display care and concern for those less fortunate than themselves and to make a practical contribution to the betterment of the lives of others.

A highlight of the year was the annual Mothers’ Day Mass. We thank Adrienne Throssell and Anjanette Hardy who each spoke from the heart about their experiences of motherhood. Below are a few excerpts:

Alexander Pagano (6 Blue) and Mrs Fiona Pagano, at the Mothers Day Mass

Easter Paraliturgy

The first couple of years of being a mother were a blur. My favourite movie was Shrek, my favourite band, the Wiggles and my favourite song was Big Red Car, and I am sure that if I started singing it now, quite a few of the mums here could sing it word for word with me!

My diet consisted of leftovers on the kids’ plate and a big night out was finally putting all the kids to bed and preparing for the next day, like going into battle!

We want to help our kids and not let them feel any pain, you want to make everything OK, and sometimes in doing so we can over-think the situation. I read a story of a mum, packing for a business trip and her three year old daughter was having a wonderful time playing on the bed. At one point she said, “Mummy, look at this,” and stuck out two of her fingers. Trying to keep her entertained, the mum reached out and stuck her tiny fingers in her mouth and said, “Mummy’s gonna eat your fingers,” pretending to eat them. She went back to packing, looked up again and her daughter was standing on the bed staring at her fingers with a devastated look on her face. The mother asked, thinking the little girl was going to miss her while she was gone. “What’s wrong, honey?” She replied, “What happened to my booger?”

The lessons I hope to leave my children are to be a good person, love without condition and have faith in God. My personal motto is, “I can only do my best and God will take care of the rest”. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect mothers. We aspire to be something that is unattainable and wonder why we feel disappointed and judge ourselves harshly. I love being a mother to my four children and, without a doubt, it is and always will be my greatest achievement. Anjanette Hardy

Sachin Hanel (4 Blue) with Mrs Hanel at the Mothers Day Mass

Ethan Throssell (5 Blue) with Mrs Throssell at the Mothers Day Mass

As a mother I have learnt some simple things over the years.

1. You’ve probably heard it said many times, “Your kids are only young once”, but think about this. Your kids are two years younger now than they will be in a couple of years’ time: treasure the parts that should be treasured while they will still let you, and don’t be afraid to keep trying to mould them while you still can, because in a couple of years it may be too late.

2. Everything we say and do is noticed and imitated in some way by our children. Being a mother means being a role model 100% of the time.

3. For those of you contemplating more kids: three is as crazy as it gets. By number three you have your systems worked out, your temporary babysitter to protect number three from number two and all the spare bibs you need.

4. When your children behave in a way that makes you least likely to want to show them affection or give them attention – that is precisely when they need it.

5. No matter what they say, boys need to be hugged – often. If they resist at first, just keep trying, starting with an arm around them. Eventually they’ll realise that they want to be hugged – and you may even find them coming up to you without invitation.

Finally, I would like to recognise my fellow mothers out there who perhaps, like me, have laundry spread across the lounge, who have stovetops with dried sauce stuck on the side and who haven’t done the ironing in the basket for two weeks. Your little gifts are sitting here today because of you – at a wonderful school, amongst other boys whose mothers are all wonderful, fragile women, both hopeful and afraid of how their sons will turn out. Adrienne Throssell

Mr Gordon Dean Assistant Head of Junior School

Year 6 Graduation Mass Head Boy Ethan Gosatti (6 Green) with his parents

Students proudly display the gifts they have made for Mothers Day

Year 6 Graduation Lunch