Beaconsfield News – 28 June 2018

The Harold Bould Memorial Award

On 14 June, Year 11 student Izaiah Roch was presented with the 2017 Harold Bould Memorial Award. This is awarded to a student who submit an essay answering questions such as ‘why would you like to trek the Kokoda Track?’ and ‘what was the importance of the Kokoda Campaign in the Battle for Australia?’. The winners received a fully sponsored trip to Papua New Guinea to trek the Kokoda Track. Izaiah will walking the Kokoda Track during the July Term holidays.

The Pakenham Gazzette wrote a news article about this event:

https://pakenham.starcommunity.com.au/gazette/2017-12-06/in-their-footsteps-2/

Constitutional Convention

We had the pleasure to attend a Constitutional Convention, along with our fellow peers, at Mater Christi on 20 June 2018. Prior to the event, we were able to explore the concept of freedom of speech and its correlation with Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. After meeting multiple students that encompassed a passion for law, politics and history, we were able to discuss and deliberate various opinions regarding this current issue within Australia.

It was an honour and privilege to personally meet and greet Julian McMahon, criminal and human rights lawyer, who is a companion of the Order of Australia for his dedication to defending human rights, in particular advocating for defendants facing the death penalty. As a body of students, we were able to perceive a perspective from someone who is exposed daily to situations regarding the abuse of “freedom of speech vs freedom from racism”. It was a respectable opportunity to broaden our knowledge and understanding of such a significant notion surrounding society today. Essentially, through this opportunity we were able to realise the complexities of our society and its contrasting views.

Sreya Thomas and Alana Popovic

Religious Education Department

We have concluded the semester with two significant faith events that have enabled the building of empathy and community. On 22 June, each of our Houses united as one in various parishes around the area. The day is designed to bring together two important aspects of our school life – our House system and our parishes. Both of these are places where every person is known, the parish welcomes all and walks with us through the significant moments in our life. The parish provides a place to gather and worship, a place to care for the world and without our parishes our school would not exist. Our Houses also provide our students with a place where they are known and cared for in their six years at the College. It is the basis of our community life, a place to say hello each day, a place to pray, and place to be supported in learning. Our priests welcomed our students to their parishes of Cranbourne, Narre Warren, Berwick, Pakenham, Koo Wee Rup and Warragul. Staff and students enjoyed meeting again their students who had moved to the Beaconsfield Campus. The day was joyful, students were very positive about the experience, and it brought us closer as a community. We thank God for our parishes, knowing that beyond school it is a place where all of us can go to find belonging, peace and inspiration.

From 27 – 29 June, Year 11 Houses have been on retreat at various locations around our area. I have observed a House whose members have shown empathy for each other. They have listened to each other’s stories with respect, they have welcomed and delighted in the opportunity to get to know their peers more. They have taken part in prayer, servant leadership games, reflected and shared significant life moments, and grown closer as a House. On Thursday night the students led a liturgy around a camp fire. I was moved by their willingness to pray for each other, to listen deeply, and to participate willingly in this moment. Our Catholic faith informs the aims of our retreat. The unconditional love of God is available to us at all moments in our lives. Living in tune with this beautiful song brings hope and vision for a life that is fulfilled, resilient and caring of others. If the students know that we can depend on God and this promise of love they can walk a little lighter in this world and make a difference. The Year 11 students will begin discerning what 2019 leadership roles they can apply for when they return in term three. I can say that I have observed potential leaders in action at the retreat, and this would have been evident around all the Houses.

We pray for a restful, peaceful and safe school holiday.