Christian Service Mrs Marya Stewart Director of Christian Service What is the purpose of Catholic Education in the Edmund Rice tradition? Phillip Pinto, congregational leader of Christian Brothers 2002–2014 made this statement: “Our schools exist to challenge popular beliefs and dominant cultural values, to ask the difficult questions, to look at life from the standpoint of the minority, the victim, the outcast and the stranger”.
A representative from SAIL and Mr Banks sign the contract for Sudanese student scholarships at Trinity
How does Christian Service respond to this challenge? Christian Service aims to convert students through active service to a Christ-like view of the world and its people, based on respect for the human dignity of each person, love of neighbour and a fundamental option for the poor. Christian Service invites students to be involved in experiences which involve: •
growing in awareness of needs of others
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responding by acting to alleviate those needs
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building ongoing relationships with people in need
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making sacrifices of time, energy and resources to help others
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being challenged to grow beyond our comfort zones
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being challenged to look at the world differently
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working together with others to make the world a better place.
Students re-create a Refugee Camp in Centenary Park
Programs at Trinity College •
The Edmund Rice tradition and Gospel spirituality is embedded in all the programs:
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Junior School: focus on class projects to visit the elderly or fundraise for community groups
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Year 7 – Serving to Belong: focus is caring for our environment
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Year 8 – Our Neighbour: focus is caring for the needs of our families and neighbours
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Year 9 – Restoring Relationships: focus is caring for younger children in need
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Year 10 – Experience Counts: focus is caring for the needs of elderly people
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Year 11 – Sharing Gifts: focus is reaching out to the wider community
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Year 12 – Senior Project: individual choice of placements and time of service
A re-created refugee camp
A re-created refugee camp
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