This past fortnight has marked a time of celebration and thresholds.

Beginning with our Year 12 students concluding exams and celebrating with families on November 22 through to our Year 10/11 students completing exams, our Celebration of Achievement Night on Tuesday and then final classes with the 2024 year level and gratitude liturgies before we start the Early Commencement program on Monday.

Our celebrations included acknowledgement of Abbey Blackley, an LSO and our Interschool Sports Leader who received the Apprentice Training Awards Inspiration Awar for overcoming adversity. This was a wonderful accolade for Abbey and those who supported her to complete her traineeship despite some challenges that needed overcoming. As an alumni of the College, Abbey is a wonderful example of ‘Strength and Kindliness’. Read further about Abbey’s achievement later in this edition of our news.

At our Celebration of Achievement evening, we acknowledged the excellence of our students in various areas, including academics, sports, arts, leadership, service, justice, and the values of Kildare Ministries. The evening highlighted the promise, purpose, and possibilities our students hold, and we commend their self-belief, courage, and hard work. Inspired by the theme of hope, we encourage our award recipients to continue making positive choices and pursuing their goals. At our Celebration of Achievement evening we welcomed back Emma Day, Dux from 2009. Emma completed her Bachelor of Philosophy in Biology at the Australian National University. She gained research experience at CSIRO. Emma’s career took her to London, where she worked with NGOs like the London Wildlife Trust and the British Red Cross. She earned a Masters in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Management from the University of Oxford. Emma began her policy advising career at the UK’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, addressing issues like Brexit fisheries negotiations and marine conservation. Returning to Australia post-Covid, she joined the Australian Public Service as an Assistant Director in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, focusing on global whale conservation through the International Whaling Commission. Emma shared four valuable lessons with our students who were most appreciative of her wisdom and reflections. We were most grateful for her attendance at our evening.

Yesterday I attended the year level Gratitude Liturgies where students and their Wellbeing staff looked back over their year together and reflected on how they had grown and who had supported them on their journey. It is one of my favourite days in the College calendar as there is a sense of ‘the threshold’ as the leave the old and look to the new. I spoke about this to each year level and invited them to consider what they need to leave behind or take with them form the year just been, and how they might be inspired by our theme of hope as they looked towards the invitation of the new year ahead. Many spoke about the excitement of new subjects, new connections and new challenges. In preparation for Monday’s new classes, students received their 2025 timetables. It is an important time to reflect on how we navigate uncertainty. Sometimes the unfamiliar can bring different emotions however this is an opportunity for growth. Some simple tips that might help

  • Stay Open-Minded: Embrace the changes as opportunities to learn and grow. New teachers and classmates can bring fresh perspectives and experiences.
  • Introduce Yourself: Take the initiative to introduce yourself to new teachers and classmates. A friendly greeting can help break the ice and start building new relationships.
  • Stay Connected with Old Friends: Keep in touch with friends from previous classes. Arrange to meet during breaks or after school to maintain those connections.
  • Communicate with Teachers: If you’re feeling uncertain or overwhelmed, talk to your teachers. They can provide support and guidance to help you adjust.
  • Be Patient: Adjusting to new situations takes time. Give yourself grace and be patient as you navigate these changes.
  • Stay Positive: Focus on the positive aspects of the changes. New experiences can lead to personal growth and new opportunities.

As this is the final full newsletter for the year it is time to acknowledge our staff who are finishing with us at the end of 2024. We have the full spectrum this year of staff who have been with us for over 40 years to those completing a 12-month contract. Our 2024 College magazine will have a more fulsome reflection on the staff and their time with the College. We know they will be missed and wish them every blessing for the next stages of life’s journey.

We acknowledge the service of the following staff who are retiring this year and thank them for the dedication and commitment to Catholic education:

Carmel Brown (43yrs at Clonard), Clare Meredith (30 yrs), Marion Buckley (26 yrs), Helen Purnell (7 yrs), Craig Billows (6 yrs), Julie Duffy (4 yrs).

The following staff are either relocating or leaving to pursue new pathways with their careers. We thank them for their time at Clonard and wish them every success in their next appointment:

Tania Anticev, Pat Dwyer, Anthea Hinchey, George McMeel, Sam Buscombe.

We also acknowledge the following staff who complete their short term contracts with Clonard. We thank them for being a part of our community even if just for a short time:

Laura Brockway, Bek Evans, Rachel Gastin, Phil Henley, Carmel Kelly, Alex Tortora.

We also send our best wishes with students and families who are leaving us at the end of this year. We thank you for your partnership during your time at Clonard.

Along with endings there are always new beginnings and this week we welcomed new staff joining us in 2025:

Anthony Laffy (Yr 7 Maths/Science), Warren Pederson (Yr 7 Maths/Science), Rebecca Barry (Yr 7 Englihs/Humanities), Montana Gale (Maths), Adam Zito (Maths/Science), Brianna Shannon (English), Tanya O’Toole (Health/PE), Tiffany Stevens (Vocational Learning), Rachael Plummer (English/Humanities), Aphra Millis (Indonesian), Vesna Cooper (LSO), Sue Dillon (LSO), Nancy Mileto (LSO).

We have been most fortunate to have had strong fields of applicants looking to join our College. There was a wonderful energy at our induction day and our new staff shared a sense of excitement and anticipation. Some will join us for Early Commencement. I know they will be made to feel welcome.

This weekend marks the beginning of Advent on December 1. This is the beginning of the new liturgical year. The first Sunday of Advent is marked by the candle of ‘Hope’ appropriate for this year where we have focused on hope as our core value. During Advent, Christians prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, reflecting on themes of expectation, waiting, and renewal. This season encourages individuals to look forward with hope, embracing the promise of new beginnings and the light that dispels darkness. It is a time to cultivate patience, faith, and a sense of community. Amidst the preparations for our end of year festivities let us try to find space in our hearts for God’s greatest gift of love. The most incredible mystery is that even though we speak of preparing for God’s coming in the form of a baby we forget God is already with us, within, around, beside us always. Perhaps it is less about having something come into us and more noticing what is already there.

Blessings

Luci