Dear Families
It has been a big week for us for all sorts of reasons, with Mitch McPherson from Speak Up, Stay ChatTy! addressing our students in relation to mental health awareness on Tuesday, and for the same cause, the installation of the “blue tree” led by Mrs Brett and our Colin House. As well today, we celebrate the Marist Regional College Feast Day, one of the biggest days in our calendar.
Why today?
The Feast of the Assumption is celebrated on 15 August in the Catholic Church. It commemorates the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was assumed into heaven, both body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. It is considered a major feast day and is often a holy day of obligation for Catholics, meaning that they are expected to attend Mass on this day. The feast is also marked by various religious and cultural celebrations, processions, and traditions in different parts of the world.
At Marist Regional College, we have always reserved our Feast Day for the Friday where the Assumption falls.
Mary has a very special place in the hearts of all Catholics. This is particularly the case for “Maristians”. “Marist” is derived from the word Mary. As a college, we promote a spirituality centred around Mary, and foster a sense of family and community among our members and the people we serve.
In fact, we have been crafting a simple, renewed vision for the College as captured below:
Marist Regional College embraces a culture united by faith, a pursuit of personal excellence, strength in spirit, and a community enriched by diversity.
As mentioned initially, we have had a well-being focus this week. What might be the future direction we are pursuing in this area? In the area of Pastoral Care and Well-Being, our Strategic Plan (2023-2027) indicates:
We will have authentic relationships, learning opportunities, embedded systems, and effective communication for all members of the College community so that all can flourish in a safe and supportive environment.
We will:
- Continue to build and develop consistent pastoral care processes to support the academic, emotional, and social needs of students by consolidating the GEM Framework and the development of a Social-Emotional education program for Years 7-12.
- Continue to pursue a sense of connection, build commitment, well-being and morale for all staff and students.
- Through clear expectations, ensure our College values of Hospitality, Respect, Justice, Compassion and Responsibility are upheld to promote a positive culture, support discernment, inform decision making and restore relationships.
- Make informed, data-driven decisions on Pastoral Care responses and support for student engagement and attendance.
This is a College with a strong focus on the now and the future.
The world is far more complex than it once was, and the importance of our spiritual, social and emotional health for all, is vital to thrive in the world we live in.
In Christ’s service,
Gregg Sharman
Principal
Inspired by the Marist and Mercy charisms, we invite all to a faith relationship through formation, and an excellence in holistic education.
Today marks 50 years since the conclusion of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam war and featured below is former student and boarder in Geoffrey John Coombs.
50th Anniversary to commemorate the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War
Geoffrey John Coombs 1945-1968
This past Friday 18 August, the Australian Government marked the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. A national service was held at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra.
Australians have been encouraged to honour and remember the service of some 60,000 Australian men and women who served in the Vietnam War and their families. Tragically, 523 Australians lost their lives in the war, and over 3,000 were wounded.
Geoffrey John Coombs, a former Marist College student, was killed in action during the Vietnam war conflict. He was called up and then volunteered in February 1967. He was killed by a land mine in the Long Hai hills, Phuoc Tuy, on the 22 March 1968 aged just 22. Geoffrey was born in Wynyard to parents Harry and Marie (nee Wainwright) the eldest of six children. The family eventually moved to Smithton, and sons Geoffrey, Peter, Graeme and Tony, all boarded at Marist College.
We remember these heroic men and women as we bring them to God in prayer.