Catholic Outlook July 2016

CATHOLIC EDUCATION www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra CatholicEdParra
Countdown to WYD 2016
pilgrimage to Krakow
Caroline Chisholm art
exhibition at Penrith Regional
Gallery until 21 August
Financial responsibility is key
to the future say McCarthy
Trade Training students
WYD pilgrims from Sacred Heart Primary, Mt Druitt (from left):
Lynell Alimangohan, Jayme Quintano and Kate Whitton.
FINAL PREPARATIONS are underway as more than 300
pilgrims prepare to embark on our diocesan pilgrimage to
Poland for World Youth Day in Krakow.
For 100 students, 70 young teachers and a number of group
leaders, priests and chaplains, their pilgrimage will begin
with a Mission Encounter in the Philippines to support six
parish projects in the Diocese of Tagbilaran, Bohol, which was
devastated by an earthquake in 2013.
These pilgrims will each carry donations of goods for the
people of Tagbilaran and will be involved in preparing food for
children, teaching, mentoring, painting, gardening, and minor
repairs and maintenance.
At Marian Catholic College, Kenthurst, a group of Social Justice
students, teachers, parents and parishioners, led by teacher and
social justice leader Meg Thomas, have been busy preparing
their donations for the children in the Philippines through their
charity, Sew a Smile.
“Over the past two-and-a-half years we have sent many
hundreds of garments around the world and are thrilled to be
supporting the efforts of the WYD pilgrims,” Meg said.
The clothes will be hand delivered to children living in the most
affected areas of Bohol.
St Bernadette’s students
become ‘Radical Recyclers’
Wemor Koholo and student Madison D'Angelis at the Penrith
Regional Gallery.
IT IS not every day that student artwork is displayed alongside
the work of a renowned Australian artist, but for 13 students
from Caroline Chisholm College, Glenmore Park, it became a
reality.
As part of a collaborative project between members of the
Western Sydney Liberian Lofa community, Mamre House and
Farm, and Visual Arts students from Caroline Chisholm College,
Years 10 and 11 students were tasked with producing an art
project that would tell the stories of the Lofa refugee community
through their work, which is on display at the Penrith Regional
Gallery.
Opened by Australia’s foremost war artist, George Gittoes, the
exhibition uses art, artefacts, photographs and audio to reveal
the life of Lofa refugees in Australia and to celebrate their
culture.
“We saw that the importance of community was so evident and
strong among the Lofa community as they worked together
to accomplish something great at Mamre Farm,” Year 11
student Tia Madden said. Mamre House and Farm is a work of
CatholicCare Social Services in the Diocese of Parramatta.
Caroline Chisholm’s Principal, Greg Elliott, said the project
produced real-world learning opportunities for students in
building relationships with the Penrith Regional Gallery and
Western Sydney Liberian Lofa community.
“There was a special bond that developed between the students
and the men and women from the Liberian community, which
has resulted in exceptional artworks and friendships,” Greg said.
Zwolowa: A Celebration of Lofa Culture and Community is on
display at the Penrith Regional Gallery until 21 August.
Ministers visit schools in
lead-up to Federal Election
Students eagerly engaged with the financial literacy presentation.
FOR YEAR 11 Trade Training students at McCarthy Catholic
College, Emu Plains, learning about budgeting, goal setting,
wages and small business ideas goes hand-in-hand with their
apprenticeships and future careers.
For Carpentry student Corey Said, developing an understanding
of financial responsibility is very relevant. “At the trade training
centre, most of us already have apprenticeships and we are
thinking about starting our own businesses,” he said.
The students had the opportunity to learn more about this area
through a number of financial literacy workshops held on 2 May
and led by the Commonwealth Bank Smart Start team.
The workshops aim to address the key skills and habits young
people need to help them understand how money works in
the world, and cover earning and making money, managing
finances, and identifying opportunities to invest or donate
money.
St Francis of Assisi students
speak up for Timor-Leste
YEAR 5 students at St Francis
of Assisi Primary, Glendenning,
recently created a video message
for the Australian Government
regarding the maritime border
issue in Timor-Leste.
After learning about the issues
affecting the people of Timor-
Leste, Year 5 teacher Chris
Boyer said his students felt
compelled to take action and
identified the best way to spread
their message was through a
video via social media.
Year 5 student Caitlyn Dela
Cruz voices her views.
“Our teacher has demonstrated that if we see an issue in our
world we have a voice that needs to be heard,” Year 5 student
Brady Herod said.
Student Leaders Forum
Students at St Bernadette’s Primary on stage with the ‘Radical
Recyclers’.
ON 20 May, Stage 2 and 3 (Years 3-6) students from St
Bernadette’s Primary, Lalor Park, were treated to a special
performance from the Eaton Gorge Theatre Company as part of
their focus to raise awareness about environmental issues.
The production entitled Radical Recyclers is an educational
experience aimed at developing students’ understanding of how
recycling works, impacts of climate change, water conservation,
and reducing carbon footprints.
Year 6 student environmental leaders Chan Deng and Thomas
Ross said the performance resonated because everyone recycles
at home.
“It was really important for our school to see this performance,
especially for younger students to learn how to recycle properly
early on,” Thomas said.
“The Radical Recyclers showed us what we can and can’t recycle,
which is really important for us to know,” Chan added. “They
made the learning fun.”
Bede Polding student leaders with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
IN RECENT WEEKS, a number of schools have had visits from
Members of Parliament.
The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Julie Bishop, visited
Bede Polding College, Windsor South, with the Member for
Macquarie, Louise Markus, on 13 May. Ms Bishop met with
student leaders, senior students and staff before speaking about
her role as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
On 18 May, the Minister for Education, Senator Simon
Birmingham, visited Caroline Chisholm College, Glenmore
Park, with the Member for Lindsay, Fiona Scott, to see the
progress students have made in Science Technology Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM).
The students used the opportunity to showcase their learning
in coding and robotics as they prepare to compete in a robotics
competition later this year.
16 CatholicOutlook | JULY 2016
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Student leaders meet with diocesan leaders to provide feedback
on their Catholic schooling.
STUDENT leaders representing systemic and congregational
secondary schools in the Diocese of Parramatta met with the
Diocesan Administrator Very Rev Peter Williams, Delegate of
the Diocesan Administrator Rev Chris de Souza, and Executive
Director of Schools Greg Whitby on 27 May.
The meeting was an opportunity for the students to provide
valuable feedback on spirituality and their Catholic schooling.