What are Catholic schools all about?

NAPLAN is important. The Victorian Curriculum is important. But speak to anyone working in a Catholic school setting and they will mention, above all, that it is the relationships formed that are most precious whether between staff member and staff member, staff and students or most importantly student to student. As we all know, relationships can take time to form. And the strongest relationships are those built on shared experiences. Those built around a shared story.

On 27 January all staff had the opportunity to share an experience based on a shared story. The story that staff heard was that of the 125-year story of Padua College on the Mornington Peninsula, travelling by bus to key sites connected to the College. From the foundation by the Mercy Sisters in 1898 to the present day.

On 16 February, Padua College celebrated our Opening School Mass in the Paul Girolami Hall on the Mornington Campus. The Mass was celebrated by peninsula priests; Fr Geoff Mcilroy, Fr. Shymon Thekkekalathungal Eshapen and Fr Jude Johnson. An overriding theme that ran through the above celebrations was the length and quality of relationships and connection that staff and students had built at the College. Prayers of intercession read at the mass included Mr. Danny Galvin whose family in 2023 notched up its 100-year connection. Another prayer of intercession was read by Mrs. Carolyn Cockerham, Principal’s PA for over 20 years, a past student at the college and a current mother of padua students. Many people at Padua have a strong connection to its past story, current story and future story. I have heard recently in conversation with one student leader how she would ‘climb any mountain’ for her peers and the privilege of joining an alumni network that is 125 years old.

Ask any parent or guardian what their most prized asset is, and the answer will be their children. Children spend eight hours a day, five days a week at a school. That is a large portion of the child’s life till they finish their education. It is satisfying and comforting for the parent or guardian then, that their child is able to form strong relationships with members of the school community that their child attends.

Taking a wander into the unknown…

Lent is often seen as a reflection of Jesus’ journey into the wilderness for forty days. Often a wander into the wilderness or into the unknown can be beneficial to one’s character. A theme for me during this Lent is to be more aware of others. To purposely do more listening than speaking. To participate in experiences that others take joy in and in turn experience that joy myself. I am coming to an understanding that by trying different experiences or conversing with people who have a different lens to life can be enriching. Lent is also a traditional time of helping the poor and doing acts of charity and mercy. One of the best ways to give alms is by supporting a charity. During lent, Padua College will be supporting Caritas’ Project Compassion. A link will be sent soon for community members to contribute. Please be generous.