To Every Person Living on this Planet, this is the opening of Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You). Laudato Si’ was introduced as our Liturgical Theme for 2022 by our Assistant Principal – Carol Sharp. As such, I will begin this newsletter with the same opening.

Within the encyclical, a religious letter, that was delivered to the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, there are so many moments which deserve consideration and contemplation. To explore Pope Francis’s writing, I would like to draw upon some quotations that may create dialogical opportunities for us to explore:

“What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (Paragraph 160).

“Many things have to change course, but it is we human beings above all who need to change.” (Paragraph 202).

Luke 6: 17, 20 – 26 The Beatitudes 

Any time there is an opportunity to impart a literacy lesson, you know that English teachers get excited. Fr. Bony’s explanation of an oxymoron at Mass on Sunday, was an excellent example of this opportunity. For those who need a quick reminder – an oxymoron combines contradictory words, for example: bittersweet, deafening silence, or living dead as opposed to a paradox which combines contradictory ideas for emphasis. As Fr. Bony expressed, there is an oxymoron in the statement “… but woe to you who are rich … woe to you who are laughing now …”. Whilst these statements can cause confusion, what Jesus is proclaiming is that the poor, the hungry, the suffering and the persecuted are blessed; whereas those who are rich, satisfied, who laugh, and are praised, should be admonished. The reason for this is that God is close to those who suffer. We are called, as Catholics, to see beyond the surface of superficiality and be awakened by Jesus’s warnings of woe to those for whom life is not a struggle. We should not become complacent by what society deems as successful trappings. Instead, we should find the opportunities to be the Face of Jesus to those who are poor, hungry, suffering, or persecuted – those on the margins of our community. The beatitudes allow us to explore what truly gives our lives meaning, what allows us to be true witnesses of our faith.

Welcome Liturgy – Opening Address 

To stand before an audience and speak is to make yourself vulnerable. I thank Carol Sharp, Fr. Bony, Juliana Cruda, Taylah Eastwell, Rachael Jordan and Tom Doherty for their willingness to assist in the Welcome Liturgy on Thursday, 10 February 2022.

What follows is the script for my Opening Address for your consideration:

Assumption College, Pope Francis's Laudato Si’ challenges our community to recognise that everything is interconnected. The way we interact with each other, and our common home, does impact on the manner our culture thrives. As we explore the ancient teachings, we are empowered to recognise the responsibilities that we hold to each other and the country on which we stand.

So often we are bombarded with the phrase that we are living in “unprecedented times” – whilst it is true that the pandemic is affecting our lives, “unprecedented” is not a negative concept. I would like to challenge the negativity evoked by this cliché. We have already demonstrated, through our move to online learning and the delayed start to our 2022 school year, Assumption College is responsive and adaptable to any situation. We are reminded by Pope Francis, through Laudato Si’, that nothing in this world is indifferent to us. We are interconnected and interdependent – this is how we are able to thrive.

In any given situation, if we are able to be see the opportunities which are presented to us, then unprecedented becomes an opportunity to think differently, respond differently and to challenge artificial barriers that we create.

For example, in 2020, at the first peak of COVID, our global environment was able to take its first deep breath since the Industrial Age. With global lockdowns, carbon emissions decreased – which in turn saw a dramatic decrease in air pollution, water pollution, and the ozone layer actually healing. We witnessed the ecological restoration of our national parks and oceans, a positive experience for our Earth. This is not us being blind to nor minimising the problems which we are facing – it is a mindset that looks for the potential to learn from every situation. In an interview I had last week, I was asked – “are you an optimist?” My response is that I am not an optimist – I am a realist who is committed to finding the opportunities in every situation. In our current context, we have seen that the impact of COVID 19 on the environment – through a united and interconnected response – is an opportunity to strengthen environmental sustainability and protect the earth from the effects of global climate change.

Imagine the potential this way of thinking has in the context of Assumption College. In 2022, we have already faced a variety of changes and ways of working. Instead of being a draining experience, let us be energised by the spirit of our charism of Edmund Rice – and his commitment to the Liberating power of education, Catherine McAuley – and her commitment to the Empowerment of all, and Mother Mary – and her bravery in nurturing the Spirit that we strive to enliven every day.

The anticipation of endless possibilities sits within our community as we begin this new year. Our challenge is to recognise that we are all interconnected and as such we are all responsible for each other and our earth. I thank you for affording me the opportunity to join Assumption College on its journey of Truth and Love, in 2022.

Academic Pin Ceremony

During our COVID-Safe Academic Pin Ceremony, it was announced that Jewel Schnitzerling was the 2021 DUX of Assumption College. Jewel’s outstanding ATAR result will serve as further inspiration for all our Academic Pin recipients. Our Academic Pin award recipients are celebrated later in this newsletter. I would like to acknowledge Assistant Principal – Curriculum, Mr. Michael Simpson, and Mrs. Jess Cantwell for the organisation and presentation of this award ceremony.

Assumption College’s Advisory Board – Thank you, Jill Hume

All boards associated with Toowoomba Catholic Schools are Advisory Boards. An advisory board is a structured and collaborative approach to engage with and gain insights from external advisors. The role of an Advisory Board is not to make decisions but rather to provide current insights, critical thinking and critical analysis of the strategic vision and mission of our College.

For the past three years, Mrs. Jill Hume has been Assumption College’s Chair of the Advisory Board. In my short time as Principal, I have been overwhelmed by the courage and support of Jill. Her grace and insight have seen her leadership of the Board be characterised by a collaborative and supportive advocacy for the betterment of Assumption College.

I am joined by all members of our interconnected community to give thanks for Jill’s commitment to Assumption College, to ensure that we were able to pursue our strategic vision over the past three years.

With Jill’s departure from our Board, I would like to welcome Ms. Sharon Collins, Principal of St Saviour’s College and ACEL Leadership Award recipient for educational excellence in diverse environments, as Chair of Assumption College’s Advisory Board. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome, Mr. Kort Goodman, back to our College community as a Board member, a critical appointment given that a key focus for 2022 will be the review of our strategic plan – a strategic plan that was penned and implemented by Mr. Goodman when he was principal.

Our Advisory Board meets at 6:00 pm, every third Wednesday of the month.

Parents and Friends Committee (P&F) 

Assumption College’s P&F will be meeting on 14March 2022.

Meeting with Mrs. Sophia McLucas, it is clear that in 2022 the P&F is committed to welcoming and supporting new families and individuals to our College community. The P&F Committee is seeking to embrace new members in a collaborative and unified manner for the betterment of our College.

I have had the great privilege of speaking to several parents and guardians over the past three weeks. I have listened to some great ideas which deserve to be heard. The P&F Committee is the place to raise these ideas and have discussions on how we can implement them to ensure that Assumption College remains synonymous with high standards and high-quality outcomes for all our students and community members.

Our P&F meets at 6:30 pm, every second Monday of the month.

Brett Lee Year Level Presentations and Parent/Guardian Webinar 

Many thanks to our Deputy Principal, Ms. Natalie Smith for her organisation of Brett Lee from Internet Safe Education, to present to our College community. Students from Years 7 – 10, had a presentation throughout Monday, 8 February 2022 whilst parents and guardians joined members of staff for a webinar in the evening.

Cyber safety is paramount. Not only is the College ensuring that our community is well informed, but we are also paving the way for our students to function effectively and safely within their 21^st century context. This can be seen in the quality of devices provided, the utilisation of online learning environments, such as Teams and CANVAS, and by embedding appropriate cyber awareness throughout our units of learning. As parents and educators, it is imperative that we are responsible for allowing the young people under our care, to engage with technology and the online environment in a safe, fun, and educational way. Thank you to Mr. Lee and Ms. Smith for ensuring that this can be done in a way that mitigates risks and issues.

Pink Stumps Day 

Congratulations to Mr. Robert Bell and his team of Ms. Dimity Brackin, Mr. Tom Duggan (Scorer), and Mr. Matt Bruton (Umpire), along with Assumption College staff, who played as part of the staff cricket team. The match was played in idyllic conditions, which juxtaposed the hotly contested competition between staff and students. A match report follows, in this newsletter.

Our College has been supporting the McGrath Foundation since 2014. Please join our entire College as we thank Mr. Bell for his dedication to this cause.

Year 11 Curriculum Information Session

On Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2022, Mrs. Julie Collins – Year 11 Pastoral Academic Leader (PAL), Mrs.

Ali Porter – Career Development Practitioner, and Mr. Michael Simpson – Assistant Principal Curriculum, showed great love for our Year 11 cohort and their parents/guardians by holding a Curriculum Information Session via Teams.

Important information was covered, including how you can attain a Queensland Certificate of Education, the expectations surrounding internal assessment and the requirements for external assessment, information concerning General and Applied QCAA courses as well as Vocational Education and Training courses, Results, reporting and academic interview plans, and finally, five (5) tips on how to effectively study.

Whilst COVID may change the way we disseminate this important information, we will are comitted to maintaining timely, clear, and valid communications to ensure best practice for our students.

Boarder District (BD) Summer Trials 

Thank you to Mr. Tom Duggan and Ms. Natalia Webb for travelling to Goondiwindi last Wednesday, 9 February 2022, to supervise our Assumption College Students who participated in the BD Trials. We were fortunate enough to have four (4) students selected for further representative duties. Please see Mr. Duggan’s report in this newsletter for further details.

Year 12 Senior Jersey Blessing and Presentation 

On Tuesday, 22 February 2022, Assumption College will host a breakfast for our Senior Class of 2022 at 7:30 am. Fr Franco will be in attendance to bless and present our Seniors with their Year 12 Jersey, along with our Executive Leadership Team, and Year 12 PAL. As per current COVID health guidelines, unfortunately, we are unable to have parents/guardians attend; however, we will commemorate this celebration with photographs to share with our families.

May Our Mother Mary, grant her blessings upon our College community.