By Mrs Liisa Hammond, Principal

Luke 12:13-21

Luke’s Gospel this week reveals one of the most humbling lessons for us, especially in our modern context. Jesus, once again, was confronted by a member of the ‘rent-a-crowd’ group who followed Jesus around, trying to make him slip up and get into trouble. The man demanded that Jesus tell the man’s brother to give him his inheritance. Jesus responded with a parable that is the story of a rich man who hoards his riches, never once thinking of it as a tool to assist others. This is a rich man who makes it his life’s work to have more: more money, more crops, more everything. Jesus tells us this angers God because the rich man only focuses on material riches, not his soul’s richness.

Immediately, my mind turns to great role models within our lives, the recently departed Archibald (Archie) Roach, whose family has given permission for his name and image to be used so that his legacy will continue to inspire those who come after him. Archie Roach was a song man and a truth-teller. The Gunditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung), Bundjalung Senior Elder’s most known song is, They Took the Children Away, a deeply personal story of loss. The story epitomises the social activism and agency for which Archie Roach is renowned. This song has become a point of healing and truth-telling about the generations of stolen children who the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have survived. For this, Archie Roach was awarded two ARIA awards and a Human Rights Achievement Award. Rather than striving to have more, Archibald Roach used his voice’s gift to promote agency for the voiceless. He was more. 

Within our College, we do not have to look too far to find another role model. Archbishop Oscar Romero is the inspiration for Assumption College’s Romero House. His biography can be found in our College diary. As the Archbishop of San Salvador, Romero’s political views were considered to be moderate, and therefore the Ruling Class were pleased with his appointment. Interestingly, however, the extreme poverty and marginalisation experienced by the people of El Salvador motivated Romero to action. The injustices and violence that Romero witnessed saw him become a fierce advocate for human rights. He used his voice for the voiceless. He fearlessly denounced injustices, even when it meant his own death. On October 14, 2018, Romero became a saint because he lived his enduring message of … aspire not to have more but to be more. A message that he lived and, devastatingly, died by. 

We can draw upon countless women and men as examples of those who enliven the message of Luke’s Gospel. These people inspire us to seek ways to enrich our souls by being agents of change, by ensuring that instead of striving to have more, we are committed to being more. 

Moving into 2023 …

Term 3 is an exciting time in secondary colleges, for this is the time of year that we start to project into the new year. We recently held our Year 10 Senior Subject Fair and Information Session – one of the most well-attended events this year, rivalled only by our first Transition Afternoon and Parent/Guardian Information Session for our 2023, Year 7 cohort. Both sessions are fabulous events because they both hold so many hopes, dreams and goals for the future. 

It was such a privilege to witness the 2023 Year 7 cohort so quickly move from individual groups based on their primary schools to a united Year 7 Assumption College team. The parents and guardians who attended the afternoon tea and information session seemed more nervous than the students – which almost always seems to be the case. In my conversation with the parents/guardians, I emphasised that the connection that parents/guardians have with their children’s primary school is often strong and positive; however, in secondary schooling, we lose that connection. Perhaps it is that the young people are developing their sense of independence or that their communication skills move into a dialect closely resembling the language patterns of our caveman ancestors. Or perhaps it is because as the young people progress, the work becomes more foreign and suddenly, for the adults around them, their own time at school seems like it was about the same time as when our caveman ancestors roamed the Earth. Whatever the reason, Assumption College recognises the importance of actively fostering that connection. Pope Francis states that parents and guardians are the first educators of their children. As a Catholic College, we are responsible for respecting the sacred position that holds and fostering a deeper connection with our community.

For our 2022 Year 10s, they were afforded the opportunity to consider several pathways to ensure their individual success. The speakers on the night all urged these young adults to consider what they were passionate about, what their interests were, and which subjects and courses would allow them to achieve their short and long-term goals. It can be so over-whelming, and yet this cohort of students demonstrated that they were ready for the challenge. It was a privilege to have several conversations that were based on goals that would lead to university, to TAFE, to work and to a combination of all of these.  

In my latest editorial for People and Places magazine, I explore this concept of growing up, and I present it here to you for your consideration:

When I grow up!

Education is a unique enterprise, given that we are operating in the present whilst simultaneously teaching about the past to prepare our students for the future. As educators, we are constantly reviewing the future, a great example of a paradox, to ensure that our young people are confident in pursuing whatever pathway they choose. 

Recently, we welcomed Year 6 students from across Warwick and beyond to our College for our first Transition Day. This is to prepare our new students for their entry into secondary schooling. Our Senior Class of 2028 will graduate in a time that will see the world transformed in both large and small ways. With predicted advancements in technologies, global trends, and economic changes, Assumption College students have the capacity to be able to thrive in all contexts, no matter the developments and disruptions they may face. 

Assumption College provides a liberating curriculum that promotes the motivation and inspiration to explore multiple and individualised pathways; however, that is simply one element of holistic education. Our empowering co-curricular and pastoral programs are specifically designed to support, challenge, and extend our students. We recognise that the teaching and learning of 21st-century skills and nurturing values do not just happen in the classrooms. From sporting to cultural to socially-just enterprises, these opportunities are designed to develop our young people’s capacity to adapt and grow in our ever-changing world. 

The World Economic Forum predicts that almost 2/3 of our current students will eventually have careers in industries that do not exist yet. What an exciting opportunity it is to future-proof and future-inspire a generation of learners who will go on to generate their own futuristic revolutions. When our Senior Class students of 2028 graduate, their future will be more wonderous than we can even imagine. 

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