Leading with Strength (and Kindliness) 

Yesterday I found myself listening to the gospel for the third Sunday of Lent feeling somewhat uncomfortable. The gospel recounts when Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. In many reflections on this passage the woman is presented as diminished, marginalised, shamed, in need of healing and restoration to the community. Last year I had the opportunity to explore this passage in depth through my study of Theology at ACU in a course titled Women’s Leadership for Mission. I came to meet and know the Samaritan woman through a new lens, as a woman with a deep inner strength and sense of self. When Jesus asked her ‘Give me a drink’ he created a space for dialogue and the opportunity for her to lead. He empowered her to make the choice, a free response.  

In the dialogue that followed Jesus’ initial request, she shows her leadership qualities in the robust, dynamic exchange where she drew on the knowledge and wisdom of her tradition and culture in a quest for understanding. Her coming to insight and faith was not just a personal revelation but something that led the whole town to come to belief. The Samaritan woman was authentic, curious, a person of influence and leadership. As I came to know this woman, I realised again how often society fails to unearth or identify the hidden strengths of women through prejudice, stereotyping, discrimination and at worst misogyny.  

Today I paused to read our wall of inspiration and gratitude, created by our students to celebrate International Women’s Day. I lost count of how may times I read ‘my mum’, ‘my nan’ as the women who inspire our students. It wasn’t their job titles, or achievements but rather the manner in which they led with heart, courage, compassion and care that puts them at the forefront of our students’ thinking when asked ‘who is a woman who inspires you?’ 

At Clonard our aspiration is to educate our students to learn with wonder, live with compassion and lead with courage. This is not about being small, apologetic or standing in the shadows. This is about living out the gospel message of Jesus in John 10:10 ‘I have come so that all may have life and have it in abundance’. This invitation is for all. In the Samaritan woman we have a model of female discipleship and leadership that reminds us of what is possible when we respond and lead with strength (and kindliness).   

Exciting changes coming to our Digital Platform 

Following an 18 month review and consultation process the College will be moving to the COMPASS platform to replace SIMON from 22 June 2026. This platform will enable us to provide a more integrated experience for families, students and staff by simplifying engagement with the College through one space.  Consent for excursions, medical information, fee payment, College updates and access to your daughter’s learning journey will all be available in the one place including access to the Compass app. This new space will also enable us to connect more seamlessly with our alumni. This Australian based platform is used across many large systems and we are confident it will enhance our engagement with families. As we get closer to 22 June when we go live we will be providing families with support in how to access and optimise the Compass experience. Stay tuned for more information next term. 

Annual Action Plan Updates – Literacy and Numeracy Interventions and Circle Pedagogy 

Last week a number of our staff trained to deliver the Corrective Reading and Corrective Maths programs. This will enable us to provide structured, evidence based interventions to our Junior students helping to accelerate their learning progress enabling them to better access the mainstream curriculum. We had over 40 parents attending an information session about this work and they expressed great interest in what the program had to offer.  

To support the sense of belonging and connection between students in the College we have been working with circle pedagogy. Kristy Elliott, our partner in learning about restorative practices, speaks of circle pedagogy as a space for building connection, belonging and voice. Circles have their origin in many of the indigenous pedagogies from around the world. When in circle a space is created for respectful engagement with others. Not just the space to share, but to listen and wait respectfully for one’s turn to speak. Circles create a space to build knowledge and relationships. Currently our focus on circles has been through the Wellbeing time with classes using various prompt’s to explore an idea or feeling. Some subject teachers have begun adopting this practice and staff have engaged in circle architecture during a recent staff meeting where we explored the question – ’how do your students know you believe they are inspired to learn?’ For many staff this was the highlight of that staff meeting being able to listen to others perspective and insights. 

Community Happenings 

The weather was kind to us at our swimming carnival with great house spirit and some incredible performances. We were so impressed by the participation of our Year 7 students and the leadership of our Year 12 students in engaging their houses on the day. We await the final results to be announced in an upcoming assembly. 

After two fun filled days at Lake Dewar, our Year 7 students and staff arrived home safely albeit a little weary after a very successful camp. This year I attended for the full two days and witnessed the manner in which the students embraced new opportunities and challenged themselves to try new things and make new connections. Their behaviour showed our positive behaviour expectations in action – respect, engagement and resilience. A huge shout out to the staff and in particular David Tripodi and Anthony Laffy for their leadership.  

Thanks to our wonderful SRC leaders who ensured we marked International Women’s (Week) with fun, celebration and challenge about the importance of ‘Balancing the Scales’. Soccer, dance, inspiring messages and our annual breakfast with Dr Dalal Smiley all contributed to an uplifting week. Dr Dalal Smiley is the CEO of Wellsprings for Women, a Kildare Ministries community work that support women, especially newly arrived women with education, settlement services and domestic violence supports. Dalal later met with our social justice leaders and key staff to discuss possibilities for connection across the year as part of our exploration of the theme of Justice: Walk humble. Love kindly. Live justly.  

And finally in this community wrap up, a huge shout out to our Yr 12 VCE VM class for hosting the annual Bowls and Beats event and fundraiser for Wellsprings for Women. We were blessed with a glorious autumn evening to enjoy an evening of friendly competition, delicious dinner and raffles/silent auction. Thanks to all our families and extended community including staff who cam along to support the student. We awere so proud of their efforts. 

Have your say 

It has been positive to see the Victorian government launch a review to seek community feedback as part of the Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Bannockburn Bus Network Review.  We welcome this initiative and encourage as many families and community members as possible to be involved. https://engage.vic.gov.au/geelong-bus We will also submit feedback as a College.  

This review is looking at the future of local bus services across Geelong and surrounding areas. Buses play an important role in connecting students to school and the review aims to ensure the bus network keeps pace with growing communities and changing travel needs.  

Open Days 

A reminder that our Open Days start on Friday 13 March. We are super excited to meet new families and share what our College has to offer. 

Parent Workshop – AI with Matt Estermann 

A parent/career workshop for families next Monday night in Kildare Theatre – see details. 

Blessings 

Luci