DO – a focus on putting into action all we have learned

Liturgy

A word from our people: Call to Action

Student panel

A selection of my favourite responses:

If there’s a way to be more inclusive why not do it – it’s simple.

Feel safe and welcome.

Make students want to come to school.

School shapes them beyond learning from text books.

Every opportunity to say yes is an opportunity to grow.

Encourage students to get involved in advocacy for others – it works wonders for mental health.

Provide Leadership opportunities.

Elevate young voices.

Listen to young voices.

I feel proud that we have such articulate and passionate young people and that we’ve played a part in that! This gives me hope for the future because sometimes I feel that students are just so self centered and wrapt up in tik tok and eyelashes!

Community Works panel

3 amazing community works working with the most needy members of our communities.

These works are a reminder of Jesus’ mission and our calling.

Wellsprings for Women – would love to see this in the west!

Saltbush – volunteer opportunities?

What about partnerships with schools to give staff release time to do volunteer service in the community work organizations?

Give staff and students the opportunity to feel a part of something important.

I love that they are just a part of the journey that Nano started!

I really loved this closing idea- To understand injustice we need to understand the causes of the cause.

We should always help people in need but also confront why they need help in the first place – act there as well. Ultimately making these organizations unnecessary!

Our voices together

What role can we play in Living Justice and Living Peace?

We are all enablers of justice and the KM community should embrace this.

“The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.”

Sister Brigid’s challenge to teachers to bring issues of injustice to our students.

Imagine if we combined our efforts and worked on one issue every year to make a change!

Catholic education can be a force for justice and peace.

What actions can we take as members of Kildare Ministries to make this a reality?

RE electives at year 9/10 and link to Indigenous perspectives may be how we make sure every student has some contact with First Nations voices while at Marian College.

I know for my RE elective we could use the Bible to find parallels and links with Dreaming stories and compare and contrast these.

Csilla had the idea to update the message sticks as well as the make the collection in RC being more prominent, including a floor space for yarning.

I would love a specific built Yarning circle outside like the new Iona College has. And more art and symbols around the place.

There was such a buzz at morning tea! Amanda, Joseph and Csilla just throwing ideas (new and old!) around and discussing ways to DO. I hope the other hubs are just as innovative and that the next 5 years at KM will be extraordinary!

Our Response session

We heard from the Trustees and the Principals at each hub, who each gave their highlight and challenge.

2 big ideas

1. In schools, real and meaningful First Nations connections.

2. Connect our schools to the justice issues that our community works are involved in.

Together we can achieve great things.

The conference was not about teaching subjects, it was about educating the whole person to be awake to injustice and to act.

Thank you to all those who made this conference possible. Erica did a great job of thanking absolutely everyone, especially the tech people in all of the hubs. It was a great privilege to be a part of it. One more step in Brigid and Nano’s shoes.

And finally, scored a Brigidine College umbrella and a lift to the station from the maintenance man! (Apparently you get one of these after 10 years of service so I feel very privileged!)