CATHOLIC EDUCATION WELCOMES IN A NEW YEAR

Transcription

1 CATHOLIC EDUCATION WELCOMES IN A NEW YEAR A new Vision for Catholic Education Office Ballarat (CEOB) During 2012, the Catholic Education Office Ballarat - in liaison with the Ballarat Diocesan Schools Advisory Council (BDSAC) and school leaders from across the diocese - re-defined our vision of service and leadership. It is to this new vision that each CEOB staff member has made a commitment in 2013 and we look forward to aligning our work more fully with the new vision as the year unfolds. Vision With Jesus Christ as our source, the Catholic Education Office Ballarat strives, through service and leadership: to nurture respectful and trusting relationships, to facilitate learning that builds capacity and promotes flourishing, to enable effective stewardship. Beginning of School Year Mass, 2013 Principals, teachers and support staff from the seventeen Primary and three Secondary schools in the local Ballarat area, gathered with staff from St Alipius Catholic Kindergarten, the Australian Catholic University, the Catholic Education Office and the Diocesan Office to begin the 2013 school year. Bishop Paul commissioned all who attended the Mass asking them to support Catholic Education and all who have a role in this important aspect of our Church life. The Mass was con-celebrated with Priests of Ballarat who were encouraged to continue to sustain the staff, students and parents in each of our Catholic schools. In his Homily, Bishop Paul reminded us that The Scriptures teach us that if we ask for wisdom, all the other gifts we need will be given to us as well. For as we heard in our first reading today from the Book of Wisdom: "I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I deemed riches nothing in comparison with her. Beyond health and beauty I loved her. Yet all good things came to me with wisdom, and countless riches at her hands." As teachers and those who work in education, we should be asking for the Wisdom to guide our students in their life journeys. This gathering of staff involved in Catholic education was one of a number of such gatherings around the Diocese. It is an important time to welcome and commit Staff who are new to our schools. It is also a time for those who have been involved in Catholic Education for some time to reflect upon the important role that each one plays in the lives of young people in our schools. At the various celebrations across our Diocese, we welcomed the following Principals in ABN PO Box 576 Ballarat Victoria 3353 Tel.(03) Fax.(03) director@ceoballarat.catholic.edu.au

2 2013 and wish them every blessing in their school leadership: Catherine (Kate) Harney, St Patrick s Primary School, Stawell Margaret Timms and Noreen McLeish (Co-Principals), Sacred Heart Primary School, Casterton Michael Mahoney, St Mary s Primary School, Colac Michael O'Riley, St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballarat East Paul Delahunty, St Patrick s Primary School, Nhill Peter Morgan, Emmanuel College, Warrnambool Sonia Turner, St Augustine s Primary School, Maryborough Vince Muscatello, St Paul s Primary School, Mildura New staff members were also welcomed to the Catholic Education Office Tony Perkins Educational Consultant Primary Kevin Cummins Education Officer ICT Jesse McCluskey Speech Pathologist Leesa Battistello Religious Education Officer Primary Carmel McCormick - Religious Education Officer Primary Jo-anne Van Der Voort - Religious Education Officer Primary Jim Waight - Religious Education Officer Primary We wish to take this opportunity to hope and pray that each of us, whether new to our role or one who has been in a role for some time, will be people Journeying together in Faith and in Grace. Bishop Bird s Homily for the Mass follows: Bishop Paul Bird s Homily on the Occasion of Beginning School Mass St Patrick s Cathedral, Ballarat 29th January 2013 Imagine you're at your desk, working away quietly, answering some s or doing some lesson preparation. Then you notice a strange light seems to be filling the room. You don't see anyone else around but you hear a voice and the voice says: "I am Christ Jesus and I am with you to support you. I have seen how hard you are working and I would like to offer you some special help. Tell me, what would you like me to give you?" You're stunned by this strange experience and for a few moments you don't know what to say. But then you answer: "Well, yes, I have been working hard and I would appreciate some help. I've got a lot of issues to deal with. I've got problems with some of the students and some of the staff and there are tensions with some of the parents too. I've got some ideas for improvements at the school but we always seem to be short of money to get new equipment and do all the things we'd like to do. All in all, though, I suppose the main thing I'd like is wisdom to make good decisions, to know how to relate to the students and the staff and the parents and to know how to use the resources we do have as well as we can." ABN PO Box 576 Ballarat Victoria 3353 Tel.(03) Fax.(03) director@ceoballarat.catholic.edu.au

3 Then the voice speaks again: "I'm glad you have asked for wisdom. You might have asked for more money. You might have asked to be free of problems with students. You might have asked to be free of difficult staff or difficult parents. But you have asked for wisdom. Now I grant you the wisdom you need to make good decisions. And with this I am granting you all the gifts you need. You will know how to do what is best for the students. You will know how to relate well with staff and with parents. You will know how to use resources well to do what you need to do." And with that, the strange light in your office disappears and the office seems normal again. I've based this story on a story we find in the Scriptures where God speaks to King Solomon. God asks Solomon what gift he would like. Solomon asks for wisdom so that he might govern the people well. God is pleased that Solomon has asked for wisdom and not for a long life or for wealth or for vengeance on his enemies. God grants Solomon great wisdom and God also grants him all the other gifts he needs to have a splendid reign as king. This is beautifully summed up in the first reading we had this morning, from the Book of Wisdom. "I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I deemed riches nothing in comparison with her. Beyond health and beauty I loved her. Yet all good things came to me with wisdom and countless riches at her hands." This is very like the teaching of Christ in the gospel where he speaks of seeking first the reign of God. "Don't worry about what you are to eat or what you are to drink or what you are to wear. God knows you need these things. Seek first the reign of God and all these other gifts will be given to you as well." May Christ grant us wisdom. May Christ help us to seek first the reign of God. As we continue this Mass, let's pray especially for the gift of wisdom. The Scriptures teach us that if we ask for wisdom, all the other gifts we need will be given to us as well. Paul Bird CSsR Bishop of Ballarat Below you can read about two new Principals in the Diocese: Mr Vince Muscatello St Paul s Primary School Mildura Mr Peter Morgan Emmanuel College Warrnambool ABN PO Box 576 Ballarat Victoria 3353 Tel.(03) Fax.(03) director@ceoballarat.catholic.edu.au

4 INTRODUCING VINCE MUSCATELLO NEW PRINCIPAL OF ST PAUL S PRIMARY SCHOOL MILDURA POCKET HISTORY: Born in Swan Hill quite a few years ago. (July 1970) TEACHING CAREER: Attended St Mary s Catholic Primary School ( ) Secondary Education- St Patrick s College Ballarat ( ) Tertiary Education ACU Aquinas Campus ( ) St Mary s P-8 School, Robinvale Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura Current St Paul s Primary School, Mildura My early years of education were spent under the watchful eye of the Josephites in Swan Hill. When I finished my primary education my loving mother felt it was important to continue my catholic education so she packed me up and shipped me off to St Patrick s, Ballarat in Year 7. I spent the next six years under the watchful eye yet again of the Christian Brothers. (There s a pattern emerging here. I think my mother was praying for some sort of divine intervention.) The next step was to be accepted into Aquinas College (as it was known back then) where the next three years of my journey were to provide me with an insight into my chosen career. Unfortunately after graduating there were no jobs available due to the redundancies in the teaching profession. I moved to Mildura and spent the next fifteen months living with my brother Sam (who was teaching at St Paul s) and doing a lot of CRT work and volunteer work at the catholic schools in the district as well as working as a block hand. This ended when I took my first teaching position at St Mary s Robinvale teaching Italian and then subsequently a range of other roles and classes over the years. I had planned to stay in Robinvale for twelve months and head back to Mildura. However, the Lord works in mysterious ways. I ended up staying for seven years as I married a local girl. We made the decision to move to Mildura, with our daughter Caitlyn, to further both our careers. In 2001, our son Joseph was born (good catholic name) and I continued my journey as a teacher undertaking many leadership roles along the way. Having a family changes your perspective on life in many ways (as well as the hip pocket). Now I find myself running after my children all over the countryside with their sporting interests. When the announcement was made of my appointment to St Paul s last year I was overwhelmed by the support and well wishes from principals, colleagues and families. It was sad to leave Sacred Heart in many ways because of the wonderful relationships that I had made over the years. This year is my first appointment as a Principal at St Paul s. I am still in the honeymoon period at the moment but the welcomed response that I have received so far from the staff, children and parents of St Paul s has been fantastic. I am looking forward to continuing my ministry of service to St Paul s and the Sacred Heart Parish Community.

5 Introducing Peter Morgan Our new Principal Peter Morgan will commence as Principal of Emmanuel College in January He is well known within the Catholic Education community especially in his current role as Deputy Principal of Sacred Heart College Geelong, a large girls college conducted by the Sisters of Mercy. Peter has also had experience in other Catholic schools in Victoria including St. Joseph s College Geelong, a large boys college conducted by the Christian Brothers and has also worked in education in Singapore and the USA. Peter and his wife Marie are looking forward to returning to live and work in the Western District. Here he speaks with Jean Christie about his career, passions and thoughts on young people. Can you tell us about growing up in your family? I grew up in a working class family - the eldest of three children. I have two younger sisters, both married with secondary aged children. I was born in Sale where my father was a share farmer on an irrigated dairy farm. My mother worked in retail and as an usher at the movies in Sale until she married, when she became a dedicated housewife and mother. When I was 7 the family moved to a larger farm close to Simpson. Heytesbury Settlement farms were rough and ready when the families arrived to run them and it took a whole family effort to develop and make them successful. My father was extremely hard working and rarely used machinery for jobs that could be done physically; something which has contributed to his good health and strength today at 85! My mother was (and still is) a gifted craftswoman. She loved any form of art and craft. The CWA was her second family and she regularly achieved success in local and distant Agricultural Shows for her craft work and cookery. As kids we were spoiled by her cooking. We arrived home from school each day to our waiting mother and plenty of home made biscuits, slices and cakes to enjoy. Sunday Mass and regular rosaries were part of growing up in my family. What led you to a career in education? It s hard to say why education, but I imagined being a teacher from a very young age. Growing up on a farm I developed an appreciation for the land and an understanding of the responsibility we have to care for the land and ensure it is handed to the next generation in good shape. But I also knew I didn t want to farm. In my imagination I wanted to be able to travel, to work in different places and to meet different people. Education is a wonderful career and lifestyle; it enables me to do all these things. It also places me in the position of having a positive influence upon the lives of so many young people. In my current school we talk about educating young people to make a difference : what a privilege! Besides, working in education keeps you fresh and up to date. You often experience new technologies before other sectors of society do and you have access to information on the latest in almost everything. There s no better way to be a life long learner than to be a teacher. What have been your proudest achievements in your career? Working with young people brings both challenge and reward. The involvement of young people in community service is inspiring and I think is contributing to a better society. 4

6 There s no better way to be a life long learner than to be a teacher. A very proud achievement in my career was, after having worked for an English language tuition business in Singapore for 18 months, to be made the Academic Director and of a new school and working to build the school from scratch. Starting with zero students, I built the school s enrolment to 700 in just over a year. Another proud moment was working with the St Therese community in Torquay to refurbish the 50 year old church building. I was involved in running a capital appeal to help fund the project. Initially we set out to raise $100,000 but succeeded in raising just over $200,000. Anyone who visits the refurbished St Therese Church will understand why it is a place to feel very proud of. What attracted you to Emmanuel College? Emmanuel College is an excellent school in a very beautiful rural city. I have been exploring the possibility of taking the step towards becoming a principal for a little while and when Emmanuel College was advertised I knew this was the place for me. Marie and I love Warrnambool itself and have been visiting here for a couple of years. The fact the school is a school founded by the Sisters of Mercy and the Christian Brothers is also significant because I previously worked in schools founded by these orders. In fact, there is a very special connection between my current school, Sacred Heart College Geelong, and Emmanuel College. Sacred Heart College was founded in 1860 by Mother Xavier Maguire who travelled the perilous journey from Ireland to do so. And 13 years later her sister, Mother Philomena Maguire travelled to Warrnambool to found St. Ann s. The role of Principal of Emmanuel College comes with great responsibility to protect this significant history and nurture and an equally proud future. What are you passionate about? I love to keep myself fit and active; it s a great way to stay healthy and guard your mental wellbeing. I walk every morning and enjoy bike riding and swimming. From a creative perspective, I love architecture and building. Marie and I have been involved in the design and construction of our last two homes. I m also passionate about art and films, especially foreign films which give you insights into life for people around the globe. These days there are some great crime and drama shows from Europe available on Australian TV. When possible, Marie and I also love to travel. Together we have travelled extensively and talk often about the places we would like to visit and the experiences we hope for in the future. Who inspires you? Generally I m inspired by anyone who is having a go no matter what their interest or expertise is. It doesn t matter whether it is sport, politics, community work, business or the arts; people who strive to succeed and in doing so make a positive difference to others are people who 5

7 inspire me to do better. What does your faith mean to you? My faith is a part of who I am and I m very fortunate to share this belief with my wife. As mentioned above, we love to travel and some of our most precious memories have been experienced whilst gathering for and celebrating the Catholic mass and other non-chrisitan religious ceremonies around the world. One such memory was of a Saturday evening mass in a remote farming community in the USA. We didn t know the mass was going to be in Spanish, as it was held for the migrant Mexican farm workers. Despite this, the experience of hospitality was humbling and the language barrier was irrelevant. When we lived and worked in Singapore we belonged to the local Catholic Parish of St Bernadettes. It was so interesting for us to be members of the cultural minority within that community and yet our experience of acceptance and welcome was very both special and complete. It has had a significant influence on the way I respond to people in my community and the way I welcome and include people, especially those who are new. What do you like best about today s young people? Young people today are so talented! While it s not always easy being an adolescent, I am heartened by the exciting and creative things young people are doing. Young people are active and mobile and generally speaking, enjoying the good things life offers. I am also impressed with the way young people are active within their communities. The involvement of young people in community service is inspiring and I think is contributing to a better society. The opportunities young people have to travel and their openness to travelling and working internationally augers well for the future helping to break down barriers across the world. At the same time I worry about young people s exposure to and their use of alcohol. I ve seen alcohol cause so much damage to relationships and I believe the adult community needs to do much more in this regard. How do you like to spend your time when you are not working? I have spoken about fitness, the arts and travel, but I also enjoy gardening and reading and time spent with family, especially grandchildren is always rewarding. And... (because we live in Warrnambool!)...what are your football allegiances? Well, I m inclined to keep this silent on the grounds someone will be disappointed by my loyalty! But I have followed St Kilda intermittently throughout my life having absorbed the interest from my grandfather who was a very loyal and passionate fan. In the Hampden League I m honestly neutral on the basis of being my young nephew s number one supporter as an up and coming umpire. 6