Beaconsfield Campus – 18 October 2018

Final Days

I am very proud of our Year 12s (VCE & VCAL) and the manner in which they have conducted themselves during the last few weeks of lessons. Today we enjoyed a wonderful assembly honouring the Year 12 Class of 2018. I look forward to seeing all Year 12 students and their families at the Graduation Mass on Friday so that we can celebrate with students, staff and parents. I wish each and every one of you all the best for the forthcoming exams.

Cabaret Night

On Tuesday night we held out annual Cabaret Night, a showcase of our performing arts talents across all three campuses. A big congratulations to Beaconsfield students, and especially to our Year 12 students who participated in their final Cabaret Night. 

Art Exhibition

On Tuesday we had a display of our creative talent at the Beaconsfield Campus. Well done to all student who presented their work!

Debating

St Francis Xavier College are now the Senior SIS Debating champions! Please congratulate Madeleine Brown, Mary Evangelista and Adam Craig for winning the SIS Grand Final last Thursday.

Please also congratulate Emma Jelavic, Georgia Bennett, Alexandria Naujoks, Aishling Firmager and Joseph Obsioma, as their wins in the preliminary rounds helped the team qualify for the Grand Final.

Religious Education Department

Plenary 2020: Our College will be taking part in the Plenary 2020 process is explained in the following article form from the Catholic Weekly, published on the Plenary Council website. http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/

“Catholics might have heard about an event happening in two years’ time in the Catholic Church in Australia called the Plenary Council 2020. They might be under the impression it’s just another meeting of bishops to discuss various matters—something that will not greatly affect them or other ordinary Catholics.

Well, it’s not. It’s actually a meeting of the entire Church in Australia, meaning everyone—bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful—with the intention of shaping the future course of the Catholic Church in this country. And while if won’t affect matters of doctrine, it will have legislative power to mould practices within the Australian Catholic Church. So, as a Catholic, the outcome of the meeting will most definitely affect you.

In theory, everyone will be allowed a voice. The word “Plenary” simply mans “entire” or “open”.

Through Plenary 2020, the Catholic Church in Australia will determine its structures and strategies for the future. And this of course will affect its mission of evangelisation—how it will spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in a culture increasingly adverse to Christian values.”

Between now and the end of the year, staff, students and parents will be invited to take part in Plenary sessions at the school. For staff and students this will occur through classes and meeting times. For parents, you are invited to register your interest in being part of the discussions, which are summarised and forwarded to the Plenary website. Please email Kevin Woodhouse (kwoodhouse@sfx.vic.edu.au) or Deacon Graeme Pender (gpender@sfx.vic.edu.au).

Prayer for our Year 12 students: Tomorrow night we celebrate the Graduation Mass at Marvel Stadium. Here is the blessing that Fr Jeff Kleynjans will pray for our Year 12’s.

Lord, may God grant you all the insight to see realistically what is; but make you dreamers and give you vision of all the possibilities for what can be. May He guide you as you start the next journey of your lives. May God give you strength and courage when making decisions about university, work and relationships. May He give you the faith that if you use your gifts for good, and help others along the way, and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, you will be able to achieve your goals and dreams. May God grant you all a clear mind and confidence in your abilities, so that you may perform the best that you can, now and in the future. Amen.

Kevin Woodhouse