Junior School Faith Education

Mr Gordon Dean Assistant Head of Junior School

Chaplain

We were very fortunate to have Fra Oscar residing in the Junior School. The boys loved it when he visited the classrooms and they enjoyed his sense of humour that he brought with him.

Our class Masses continue to be a central part of our faith program. Ms Ann Clarke did a superb job with the choir and also added to our repertoire of songs. The beautiful singing helped to make Masses that extra bit special.

Year 6 Confirmation/Leadership Retreat

The year commenced with our opening Mass and the presentation and blessing of the newly appointed school leaders. Teachers then started the preparation for the Leadership/Confirmation retreat held at Camp Kelly. Mr Tony Maxfield, Mr Bernard Le Tessier and Mr Andrew Hayes did a terrific job preparing the students – below, is a brief recount of the retreat:

In Term 1 the three Year 6 classes made their way to Camp Kelly in Dwellingup. The focus of the retreat was leadership. The boys reflected on their roles as leaders within the year group and in the Junior School.

The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit were called upon to be more present in the boys’ lives, as they received the sacrament of Confirmation during the year.

This retreat, combined with class work, and in union with the parish, prepared the boys for the sacrament.

The boys demonstrated the virtues of the College throughout the course of a very successful year.

Mr Bernard Le Tessier

Mr Tony Maxfield

Sacrament of the Eucharist

Most Year 4 boys received the sacrament of the Eucharist this year.

Special thanks to Ms Alana Brennan, Miss Natalie Kenny and Ms Kristina Grech who ensured that the boys were well prepared.

Mothers’ Day Mass

The Mothers’ Day Mass was another memorable occasion. This year Mrs Rosalba Bottega and Ms Catherine Pinchin shared their experiences of being a mother and both did a splendid job. Over the years this sharing of what it means to be a mother has become an important and integral part of our celebration.

Year 6 is a time of substantial growth for all students – there is obvious physical growth, but the greatest growth is socially and spiritually.

With most boys receiving the sacrament of Confirmation and becoming adult members of the church by using the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is also a year of putting much theory into action – to ‘make a difference’.

The Leadership retreat is an opportunity for the boys to learn about taking the first steps into becoming true young ‘Men for Others’.

Through liturgies, reflection, team games and personal challenges it is a time to look at and see the bigger picture in relation to themselves, family and the greater world. A time to give up the ‘I’ motivation and see the ‘we’ that make up our many communities.

A ‘camp’ is for learning about outer mind things. A ‘retreat’ is focussed on looking within to become the best that we can be so we can help others.

The Leadership retreat sows and nurtures the many seeds of growth and leadership that the boys will need to become balanced and socially responsible young men of the future. Christian Service and Missions

The Junior School was also involved in such activities as Unfair Day, collecting ring tops for Wheelchairs for Kids, 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.

This year I was also fortunate to visit Vietnam and meet Sr Trish Franklin who is the CEO of the Loreto Vietnam Program. Sr Trish was presented with a donation from the boys at Trinity College and we look forward to a visit from her in 2015.

Mr Gordon Dean Assistant Head of Junior School

Being a Mum

I know I’m a mum because embarrassingly so I tick all the boxes below:

Have I licked my finger to clean my child’s face? Yes. Do I hide in the bathroom to be alone? Sometimes, well, actually a lot.

Can I talk on the phone, make a coffee, pack lunches and clean the kitchen all at the same time? Yes and have I said: “I’m not cut out for this job.” Yes – but, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I remember the greatest day of joy, The doctor said, “a baby boy,” To become a mum, who would have thought, A responsibility – a role I had not been taught.

I went on to have another three, So now along came a huge responsibility.

To cook, to clean, to tidy, to mop, To iron, to pack lunches, to fold, to shop.

These many chores I can’t ignore, But with it comes the greatest joy of all.

Those priceless smiles, those precious hugs, I share their joys, and even their bugs.

My kids are my life, they are my family, So being their mum is the greatest honour for me.

They make me laugh and they make me frown, But most of all they make me so, so proud!!

When they grow up and decide to leave home, These are the lessons I know, I’ve taught them alone.

I taught them logic: “I told you so.”

I taught them irony: “Keep crying and I’ll give you something to cry about.”

I’ve taught them the circle of life: “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.”

I’ve taught them anticipation: “Just wait until we get home.”

I’ve taught them genetics: “You’re just like your father.”

and

I’ve taught them patience: “When you’re eighteen you can move out and do what you like.”

But most importantly I’ve taught them love: “You know whatever happens, I’ll stand behind you, because, I am your mother and ...I love you.”

Mrs Rosalba Bottega