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Leading with StrengthÌý(and Kindliness)Ìý

Yesterday I found myself listening to the gospel for theÌýthirdÌýSundayÌýof LentÌýfeeling somewhat uncomfortable. The gospelÌýrecountsÌýwhen Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well.ÌýIn many reflections on this passage the woman is presented asÌýdiminished,Ìýmarginalised,Ìýshamed, in need of healing and restoration to the community.ÌýLast year I had the opportunity toÌýexploreÌýthis passage in depth through my studyÌýof Theology at ACU in a course titled Women’s Leadership for Mission. I came to meet and know the Samaritan woman through a new lens, as a woman with a deep inner strengthÌýand sense of self.ÌýWhen Jesus asked her ‘Give me a drink’ heÌýcreated a space for dialogue andÌýthe opportunityÌýfor herÌýto lead. He empowered her to make the choice, a free response.ÌýÌý

In the dialogue that followed Jesus’Ìýinitial request,Ìýshe shows her leadershipÌýqualitiesÌýin theÌýrobust, dynamic exchangeÌýwhere she drew on the knowledge and wisdom of her tradition and cultureÌýin a quest for understanding.ÌýHerÌýcoming to insight and faith wasÌýnotÌýjustÌýa personal revelation but something that led the whole town to come to belief. The Samaritan woman wasÌýauthentic, curious, a person of influence andÌýleadership.ÌýAs I came to know thisÌýwoman,ÌýI realisedÌýagainÌýhow oftenÌýsociety fails to unearth or identify the hidden strengthsÌýofÌýwomenÌýthroughÌýprejudice, stereotyping, discrimination and at worst misogyny.ÌýÌý

Today IÌýpaused to read our wall of inspiration and gratitude, created by our students to celebrate International Women’s Day. I lost count of how may timesÌýI readÌý‘my mum’, ‘my nan’ as the women who inspire our students. It wasn’t their job titles, or achievements but rather the manner in which they led with heart, courage, compassion and care thatÌýputs them at the forefront of our students’ thinking when askedÌý‘who is a woman who inspires you?’Ìý

At Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵÌýour aspiration is to educate our students to learn with wonder, live with compassion and lead with courage. This is not about being small, apologetic orÌýstanding in the shadows. This is about livingÌýout the gospelÌýmessageÌýof Jesus in John 10:10 ‘I have come so that all may have life and have it in abundance’.ÌýThis invitation is for all. In theÌýSamaritanÌýwomanÌýwe haveÌýaÌýmodel of female discipleship and leadershipÌýthatÌýreminds us of what is possibleÌýwhen weÌýrespond andÌýlead with strengthÌý(and kindliness).ÌýÌýÌý

Exciting changes coming to our Digital PlatformÌý

Following an 18 month reviewÌýand consultation process the College will be moving to the COMPASS platform to replace SIMON fromÌý22ÌýJune 2026. This platform will enable us to provide a more integrated experience for families, students and staff by simplifying engagement with the College through one space.Ìý Consent for excursions,Ìýmedical information,Ìýfee payment, College updates and access to your daughter’s learning journey will all be available in the one place including access to theÌýCompassÌýapp.ÌýThis new space will also enable us to connect more seamlessly with our alumni. This Australian based platform is used across many large systems and we are confident it will enhance our engagement with families. As we get closer to 22ÌýJuneÌýwhen we go live we will be providing families with support in how to access and optimise the Compass experience. Stay tuned for more information next term.Ìý

Annual Action Plan UpdatesÌý– Literacy and Numeracy Interventions and Circle PedagogyÌý

Last week a number of our staff trained to deliver the Corrective Reading and Corrective Maths programs.ÌýThis will enable us to provide structured, evidence based interventions to our Junior students helping to accelerate their learning progress enabling them to better access the mainstream curriculum. We had over 40 parents attending an information session about this work and they expressed great interest in what the program had to offer.ÌýÌý

To support the sense of belonging and connection betweenÌýstudents inÌýthe College we have been working with circle pedagogy. Kristy Elliott,Ìýour partner in learning about restorative practices,Ìýspeaks of circle pedagogy as a space for building connection, belonging and voice.ÌýCircles have their origin in many of the indigenous pedagogies from around the world. When in circle a space is created for respectful engagement with others. Not just the space to share, but to listen and wait respectfully for one’s turn to speak. Circles create a space to build knowledge and relationships. Currently our focus on circles has been through the Wellbeing time with classesÌýusing various prompt’s to explore an idea or feeling. Some subject teachers have begun adopting this practice and staff have engaged in circle architecture during a recent staff meeting where we explored the question – ’how do your students know you believe they are inspired to learn?’ For many staff this was the highlight of that staff meeting being able to listen to others perspective and insights.Ìý

Community HappeningsÌý

The weather was kind to us at our swimming carnivalÌýwith great house spirit and some incredible performances. We were so impressed by the participation of our Year 7Ìýstudents and the leadership of our Year 12Ìýstudents in engaging their houses on the day. We await the final results to be announced in an upcoming assembly.Ìý

After two fun filled days at Lake Dewar, our Year 7Ìýstudents and staff arrived home safely albeit a little weary after a very successful camp. This year I attended for the full two days and witnessed the manner in which the students embraced new opportunities and challenged themselves to try new things and make new connections.ÌýTheir behaviour showed our positive behaviour expectations in action – respect, engagement and resilience. A huge shout out to the staff and in particular David Tripodi and Anthony Laffy for their leadership.ÌýÌý

Thanks to our wonderful SRC leaders who ensured we marked International Women’s (Week) with fun, celebration and challenge about the importance of ‘Balancing the Scales’. Soccer, dance, inspiring messages and our annual breakfast with Dr Dalal Smiley all contributed to an uplifting week. Dr Dalal Smiley is the CEO of Wellsprings for Women, a KildareÌýMinistriesÌýcommunity work that support women, especially newly arrived women withÌýeducation,Ìýsettlement services and domestic violence supports.ÌýDalalÌýlater met with our social justice leaders and key staff to discuss possibilities for connection across the year as part of our exploration of the theme ofÌýJustice: Walk humble. Love kindly. Live justly.ÌýÌý

And finally in this community wrap up, a huge shout out to our Yr 12 VCE VM class for hosting the annual Bowls and Beats event and fundraiser for Wellsprings for Women.ÌýWe were blessed with a glorious autumn evening to enjoyÌýan evening of friendly competition, delicious dinner andÌýraffles/silent auction.ÌýThanks to all our families and extended community including staff who cam along to support the student. We awere so proud of their efforts.Ìý

Have your sayÌý

It has been positive to see the Victorian government launch a review toÌýseekÌýcommunity feedback as part of theÌýGeelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Bannockburn Bus Network Review.ÌýÌýWe welcome this initiative and encourage as many families and community members as possible to be involved.ÌýÌýWe will also submit feedback as a College.ÌýÌý

This review is looking at the future of local bus services across Geelong and surrounding areas. Buses play an important role inÌýconnecting students to schoolÌýand the review aims to ensure the bus network keeps pace with growing communities and changing travel needs.ÌýÌý

Open DaysÌý

A reminder that our Open Days start onÌýFriday 13ÌýMarch. We are super excited to meet new families and share what our College has to offer.Ìý

Parent Workshop – AIÌýwith Matt EstermannÌý

A parent/career workshop for families next Monday nightÌýin Kildare Theatre – see details.Ìý

BlessingsÌý

LuciÌý