Can you recall a time where you have found yourself going through old photos or boxes of belongings from another time? Maybe you were by yourself or with a friend or a member of your family. With each new item or picture there is a new emotion connected to a memory. We often spend so much time moving forward, hastening to the next thing that we often only look back at times when we are facing a significant crossroad in life, the loss of a loved one, moving house or in my case finishing in a role. 

Last Friday afternoon I began the task of packing up my office cupboards. With each folder and document, I thought of the work, the people and the impact that it had on the life of the College. I found the notes to staff from the first briefing about Covid 19, speeches given, piles of butchers paper with consultation and feedback notes from different initiatives.  

And just like when you start sorting through old treasures and sometimes you are then prompted to go searching for things that are connected, I set out on a quest to find the annual action plans for the past eight years. These plans set out the direction and provided the map for the work of the College as it journeys towards the vision set out in the strategic plan. I managed to find all eight plans!! From the very first plan in 2019 which was very basic and operational to our 2026 plan which gives expression to our One Pace Beyond aspirations to be: Bravely Ambitious, Thriving Change Agents and Intentionally Connected. When they were all laid out in sequence, they told a fascinating story of the growth and change process that we have been on together. 

During our last Extended Leadership Team meeting this week I asked the team to look back and see how they felt and what they noticed. They could identify the seeds of what we are doing now from as early as 2020. They also noted that in many ways it takes several years to start to see real change. We also celebrated that we have not let go of the things we know are evidence based and right for the future of this community. One leader said we were doing things before our systems were ready for us.  

My hope was that our leaders could feel a sense of accomplishment, pride and also renewed commitment to stay for the course ahead. In the recent positive Thriving Schools Index and NAPLAN results we have external measures that sit alongside all the data and evidence we collect from within the College to say we are on track whilst always being open to making small adjustments and tweaks for greater outcomes for our students and staff. It has been a privilege to lead this work and the people who have been responsible for the implementation. 

70th Anniversary Dinner Thanks 

In a similar way the celebration of our 70th anniversary dinner was a night of pure joy, connection and sharing of story. People came, drawn by something that connects them to this place, collectively weaving stories together like a Brigidine cross, each one creating an interconnected whole. The stories from our evening remind us that the impact of a school extends far beyond its gates. Lives of courage, compassion, hope, hospitality and justice are the living expression of the mission first entrusted to the Brigidine Sisters 70 years ago and remain the strongest evidence that Clonard’s spirit continues to flourish today. Thank you to all those who supported the evening.  

Kildare Ministries Trustee Statements 

In my last blog I also spoke about the Kildare Ministries Conference. During the Conference the Trustees released a statement on Human Dignity and Artificial Intelligence. In July the Trustees gave us a statement on First Nations Peoples: Living Justice.  

The Human Dignity and Artificial Intelligence Statement acknowledges both the opportunities and ethical challenges presented by AI and calls us to ensure that human dignity and the common good remain at the heart of how we use these technologies.  

Importantly, the Statement calls us to consider what this means in practice – through ongoing formation and AI literacy, review of policies and practices, attention to those most vulnerable and continued discernment about how emerging technologies can support rather than diminish our mission.  

Grounded in our Living Justice Living Peace Charter, the First Nations Peoples: Living Justice Statement reaffirms our commitment to walking in solidarity with First Nations peoples and calls us to continue building communities where every person is respected, every culture is honoured and every voice is heard. It affirms the inherent dignity of First Nations peoples, embraces the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and encourages each of our ministries to deepen relationships through listening, partnership, truth-telling and action.  

This Statement was developed through a process of listening and dialogue. It is intended not simply as an expression of our shared commitment, but as an invitation for each ministry to reflect on what this means within its own context.  

Last week I met with the Tjatjurrung student group to work through the statement and listen to their impressions and reflections. I was humbled by their pride in recognising their connection to being a part of the oldest living culture in the world yet also sharing the vulnerability and hurt that comes from being connected to generational experiences of trauma. They were positive about our efforts at Clonard and encouraged us to continue to ensure that First Nations culture is honoured and voices are heard. I am proud of the leadership of these young women and their generosity of spirit in sharing their culture with us as a community. 

Being Intentionally Connected 

In community news I would like to thank all those who joined us last Friday for our Father’s Day celebration including the various members of car clubs from around Geelong.  The weather was kind to us and it was wonderful to see people from right across the College enjoy the hospitality. 

This week we host our 2028 Year 7 students for their ‘Welcome Conversations’ which is an opportunity to come into the College for an informal meet and greet with College staff leaders.   

Our VCE VM Year 12 class hosts RU Ok day tomorrow which has been a feature of the Clonard calendar and brings important conversations into focus. 

Final preparations are underway for our Brigidine Day market to be held on the last day of term where our Year 9 students will be providing a festival style event with food and activities to fundraise for the Kildare Ministries Community Work Wellsprings for Women.  

We are also in the final stages of the construction of our sacred space between the Oak Centre and Clonard House. Our goals is to open the garden coinciding with Brigidine Day on the final day of term. With a well forming the centrepiece of the garden it is fitting we tie this into the traditions of Celtic spirituality that inspired St Brigid. We have been so impressed by the care and meticulous placement of every stone creating this well. 

These last few days of term are a busy time especially for our senior students who are starting to head towards finishing classes, competing final assessments and preparing for and sitting practice exams. Whilst we hold all our students in our prayers we especially think of our Year 12 students and the staff who work with them. May they give of their best, know they are loved and valued and capable of whatever their personal best may be.  

Blessings 

Luci