Siena Catholic Primary School
National Sorry Day
Our school came together to recognise and reflect on National Sorry Day last Friday. A day held annually in Australia on 26 May commemorating the Stolen Generations. It is part of the ongoing efforts towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. We prayed, paused, and acknowledged the immense contribution of our indigenous peoples to our nation and how we need to apologise for the wrongs and make things better. Each class had a letter that said We Are Sorry Reconciliation. This week we centred on Reconciliation – to Be Voices for Future Generations. The children wrote words of Reconciliation in a heart and, as a school, we created a ‘Sea of Hearts’ echoing the need to reconcile and work together with our First Nations people for a better future for all. We concluded with a liturgy asking God for hearts that listen, have courage, healing and hearts that reconcile.
Stella Maris Primary School
Mr Mark Ballam, our school principal and member of Stella Maris Parish, will be participating in this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout at Maroochydore Surf Club on 22 June. It’s an annual event to raise vital funds for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of finding themselves without a safe place to call home. Every dollar raised goes to support St Vinnies’ services, which include food, accommodation, education, counselling, employment and health programs. Mark will be joining other Catholic School Principals, business, government and community leaders (including Fr Josh from OLR at Caloundra) across Australia in sleeping out ‘rough’. The goal is to ensure that Vinnies’ vital services can stay up and running – meeting the increasing demand due to COVID-19, job losses, sky-rocketing costs of living, along with other social and economic pressures that keep homelessness on the rise. The Vinnies CEO Sleepout happens for just one night, but it raises vital funds to support people all year round. The children at Stella Maris School are very excited, because the children of any families that make a donation, have their names go into the draw to become Principal-for-a-Day in Term 3. Imagine the fun they will have! If you wish to donate, please link here or use the QR code below. All donations are tax deductible. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Siena Catholic College
Last Saturday night, our Year 12 students gathered at the Maroochy RSL for the College’s annual Benefit Ball. This night is not just about glamorous dresses, snappy suits, stretch limos and dancing – although it does contain all of these elements! It’s also a night to think of others and to support an organisation on the Coast that is doing great things. This year, the students chose the Balin Stewart Foundation as their charity. This Foundation, set up by Balin’s parents, initiated the #BinTheBladeForBalin campaign – in the hope that the devastation caused by knife crime can be avoided. Through ticket sales and a monster raffle, the students raised more than $10,500.
On Thursday, a group of our Year 10 students travelled to St Teresa’s for the annual PoTENtial gathering. The event, which is facilitated by Brisbane Catholic Education, challenged our students to explore what it means to Soar to Great Heights.
