The Lenten Journey 

Last week we commenced the 40 day Lenten journey with our Ash Wednesday liturgy, led by our Year 12 students. This journey is a time for us to renew our hearts and turn back towards God. In his Lenten letter, Pope Leo encourages us to make room for ‘listening’, just as God is a listener to God’s people. as the foundation of genuine relationship with God and with one another. Listening to God’s word teaches us attentiveness, openness and respect for the truth of our shared reality.  

We are also encouraged to embrace a meaningful form of fasting by refraining from harsh, hurtful or careless words. By choosing kindness, restraint and respect in our speech, Pope Leo says we create space for hope, peace and understanding to grow. Together as a school community, may this Lent help us listen more deeply and speak in ways that build compassion and love. This is essential if we are to be people who ‘Walk humbly, love kindly and live justly’. The full copy of the Pope’s letter can be found here Message of the Holy Father Leo XIV for Lent 2026 

Justice in Action – International Women’s Day Breakfast Invitation 

Wellsprings for Women is a Kildare Ministries community work dedicated to supporting and empowering women, particularly those who are vulnerable and facing social disadvantage. Their work focuses on providing education, advocacy and practical assistance to enable women to build resilience, develop skills and access opportunities for a brighter future. Through programs such as English language classes, vocational training and support groups, Wellsprings actively promotes justice for women by fostering inclusion, dignity and equality in the wider community. 

We are pleased to remind everyone that Dr Dalal Smiley, CEO of Wellsprings for Women, will be our guest speaker at our International Women’s Day Breakfast on Friday 6 March. Further information including how to purchase tickets can be found in this week’s newsletter.  

One Pace Beyond Strategic Plan – 2026 Annual Action Plan Implementation 

Implementation of our 2026 annual actions are well underway. These actions are informed by multiple measures of data reviewed and evaluated by the extended leadership group of the College to ensure we are data informed and evidence based. Our work this year seeks to consolidate and extend the directions of our past few years. 

Some of the key student focus areas for 2026 include: 

• The introduction of New Metrics for Success at Year 10, including the credentialling of all Year 10 students with the Australian Learner Competency Credential warranted by the University of Melbourne 

• Targeted Literacy and Numeracy interventions for students in Years 7 and 8 

• The use of ‘circle pedagogy’ to build connection, belonging and positive problem solving 

• Engaging our students in developing their understanding of safe, ethical and effective use of AI 

• Understanding executive functioning and trauma informed practices to support students to be ready to learn 

• Exploring the Kildare Ministries value of ‘justice’  

Across the year our progress in these and other key actions will be shared through the newsletter so we encourage families to keep abreast of our progress. 

New Metrics for Success 

Earlier this week a number of staff spent two afternoons with the New Metrics Partnership. This will be our sixth year in the research partnership. This commitment speaks to our commitment to a holistic education and the belief that success for our students is more than what can be capture in a number, letter or rank. Whilst knowledge and skills are critical we believe, as does the New Metrics partnership, that there are key transferable learning competencies that are critical to thrive in learning, in relationships and our broader society.  

Alongside strong academic results, our aspirations for our students are captured in our Graduate attributes. These are listed on our website Vision Statement – Clonard College Geelong These attributes characterise graduates who Learn with Wonder, Live with Compassion and Lead with Courage. The New Metrics competencies were referenced in the development of these attributes.  

It was heartening to see last year in a survey of Year 10 students that students see they are growing in the development of these attributes through various aspects of school life. Most students reported ‘Noticeable growth’ in all three graduate attribute areas, with ‘Significant growth’ being the next most common response. The most frequently cited contributors to personal growth across all areas were ‘Subject learning’, ‘Sport’, ‘Wellbeing time’, and ‘Leadership opportunities’, indicating these experiences are central to students’ development. ‘Music’, ‘Extra curriculum programs’ and ‘Social justice activities’ also played substantial roles, suggesting a broad range of school activities support growth in these attributes. 

AI Parent Workshop 

On 16 March Matt Estermann who is partnering with the College on our AI learning journey will spend the day working with students and staff on the next steps in our AI roadmap. 

Parents are invited to attend a workshop with Matt as a follow up to last year’s seminar.

Matt Esterman: AI Enhanced Education Family Session: AI in the World Update, Clonard’s Approach to AI
Monday March 16th
6.00 – 7.00 pm
Kildare Theatre, Clonard College

Open Days and Enrolments 2027 

A reminder to share with family or friends who may be considering Clonard for their daughter’s secondary education that bookings are filling for Open Days. Enrolments are open for 2027 and we thank those families who have already submitted an application. We remind current families with siblings to please complete your enrolment application as soon as possible. 

Community Celebrations 

We look forward to our annual swimming carnival tomorrow. House leaders have been working hard with their houses to promote team spirit and participation. Parents, please note that attendance by all students is expected tomorrow. These events are important in building a sense of school spirit. Note the school’s mobile phone policy applies whilst at the pool and phones are not to be used. 

The excitement for Year 7 camp is building with the cohort spending two days together next week. I look forward to being with them for this time. A shout out to our staff and Year 7 Leaders David and Anthony for their preparation and organising of this important milestone for the students. 

A reminder about our upcoming reunion. Whilst the classes of the years ending in 6s are our focus, this year given our 70th anniversary celebration we are inviting any alumni to join us for this gathering. 

Blessings 

Luci