By Mrs Liisa Hammond, Principal

John 6:60-69 and Social Justice Sunday

This Gospel tells us of the struggle that some of the disciples and many of Jesus’ followers had when he spoke about being the “bread of life”. It highlights to us the difficulties that exist when our beliefs and values are challenged by the words and actions of others. When that happens, we have the choice to respond in fear or anger, or take the opportunity to respond with compassion. Seek first to understand.

This is an important reading, given that last Sunday, we observed Social Justice Sunday. Social Justice Sunday has been commemorated since 1940, with an annual statement and theme issued by the Bishops to focus our thoughts and prayers.

The theme for 2024 is Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World. Australia’s Bishops ask us to put our faith and hope into the possibility of peace. They challenge us to respond with compassion and reflection when we are faced with pessimism. As Brother Damien Price would say, we should enter a space of encounter and dialogue rather than fear and anger, to turn towards each other, not away.

Australia’s Bishops draw upon Pope Francis’ words (2023) when he urges us to work for a new world that is resplendent in its peace:

“Keep seeking and be ready to take risks. At this moment in time, we face enormous risks; we hear the painful plea of so many people. But let us find the courage to see our world not as in its death throes but in a process of giving birth, not at the end but at the beginning of a great new chapter of history. We need courage to think like this.”

So even when things become hard, when we are challenged by the words and actions of others, let us work together to show our young people that there is a realistic way to peace, an authentic and enduring peace – and that is through a commitment to act and respond with Truth and Love.

Fathers’ and Significant Men in our Lives Day

On Wednesday, we celebrated our fathers and all other significant men in our lives. With breakfast on the Green consisting of breakfast burgers in a variety of different flavours, it was fabulous to spend time celebrating with our dads.

Congratulations go, once again, to the Spiller Family for their win in the annual paper plane competition, expertly compered by ACW’s 2025 Spirit Leader, Harry Hume.

It is important to celebrate the significant males within our community, given that the teaching profession currently has 72% females and 28% males. it is important for us to give thanks to positive male role models within our community.

Queensland Catholic Music Festival

As was reported as a late addition to our newsletter, it is with great joy that we celebrate our College band gaining a silver medal for their performance at the Queensland Catholic Music Festival. This is an amazing achievement for ACW, given that there has been tireless work by so many in order to build our cultural offerings at the college.

Our entry into the Queensland Catholic Music Festival was initiated by Mr Richard Coe, former CL: Arts and Performance, and the hours of dedication delivered by Aaron Buchannan. Our students, as usual, were spectacular in their commitment, given the fact that several of our Year 11 students left their Leadership Induction early to attend the performance.

This silver achievement is testimony to the hard work and dedication of our performance staff and is another addition to an already standing ovation of performances for our 2024 year.

May our Mother Mary grant her blessings upon our College Community.