News

Vale Archbishop Leonard Faulkner

Much-loved Emeritus Archbishop Leonard Anthony Faulkner was farewelled in a funeral Mass in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on Monday 14 May at 11.00am following the Vigil Liturgy which was celebrated on Sunday evening 13 May.

The former Archbishop of Adelaide and Bishop of Townsville died at the Pines Lodge, North Plympton, on Sunday afternoon 6 May, aged 91. Tributes and words of affection have flowed in via social media and Archbishop Philip Wilson has expressed his deep sympathy to Archbishop Faulkner’s family and friends.  “He was a beloved priest and a dedicated, loving pastor,” Archbishop Wilson said. “We grieve his death deeply, but we also give thanks for his life and his outstanding service to the gospel and to all whom he led.”

The eldest of 10 children, he was born in Booleroo Centre in the southern Flinders Ranges on December 5, 1926 and after entering the seminary at Rostrevor was ordained a priest in 1950 in Rome. He was appointed bishop of Townsville on 28 November 1967 and was installed as Archbishop of Adelaide on 19 June 1985 where he continued his commitment to, and support of, the lay people as a critical part of the life of the Church.

The following prayer was prayed by Archbishop Faulkner daily:

The Prayer Radiating Christ

Dear Jesus, help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go.

Flood my soul with Your spirit and life.

Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Yours.

Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul.

Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus!

Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as You shine, so to shine as to be a light to others; the light, O Jesus, will be all from You; none of it will be mine: it will be You shining on others through me.

Let me thus praise You in the way You love best: by shining on those around me.

Let me preach You without preaching, not by words, but by my example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to You.

God,

We give thanks to you for Archbishop Faulkner and the great and humble leadership and witness to the Gospel that he gave to the Church in Adelaide, the people of South Australia and our nation. We pray for the repose of his soul and we pray for his family, friends and all those who love him. Help us to be humble and faithful followers of Christ in the same way that Archbishop Faulkner was.

We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

Mother’s Day Celebrations and Mary in the Month of May

Thank you to the mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunties, big sisters and all those who provide motherly care to our young and were able to attend the Mother’s Day Liturgy and morning tea last Friday 11 May. Once again, the Sugarloaf Café and Hospitality students ensured that the event was well catered.

As we celebrate motherly care of those who are with us and those who are now enjoying their heavenly reward we also acknowledge that during May, we as a Catholic Church offer our devotion to Mary; our model of devoted motherhood, grace, unconditional love and maternal integrity.      

National Families Week

In recognition of National Families Week, 15-21 May, we are reminded to reflect on the role families play in our community and the importance of celebrating the presence and meaning of family, as the protectors, first educators and nurturers of children and young people. We know that living in loving and stable families is an important safety factor for children. To support children and keep them safe we understand the importance of supporting their families also, especially those who may be experiencing stress or difficult times. The encouragement of family life is a key focus in our Archdiocese and within our school and parish team. National Families Week is an important opportunity for us to welcome and embrace the richness and diversity families bring to our parish communities. The Archdiocesan Child Protection Unit has a responsibility to assist with supporting the care and well-being of children and families in our community and can be contacted on (08) 8210 8159.

Australian Catholic Church Plenary Council

Archbishop Wilson has advised the Archdiocese of the upcoming Plenary Council of the whole Church in Australia that will be held in two sessions in 2020. He says that “the most important and crucial element of the process is the participation and dialogue with our local church … to answer a fundamental question, ‘What do we think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?’ ”  The dialogue process begins next week on Pentecost Sunday. At this stage he encourages us to visit the website and more details of our involvement will follow.

Study Leave

This week (Week 3) I commence the second phase of my study leave as part of my Principal’s Renewal this year.  As I indicated previously, I am completing research in the area of Wellbeing and Resilience, under the auspice of Catholic Education South Australia and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). The research, Positive Education in school communities on scale and over time. What makes it stick?,  will consider Positive Education in school communities which have successfully implemented wellbeing and resilience strategies across their whole community. The study will ascertain what measurable and sustained impacts the application of positive education has had on teacher, student and parent wellbeing behaviours.

Following on from my leave in Term 1, to complete the research I will be absent from school during the following periods:

•             14 May – 8 June
•             13 August – 7 September
•             15 October – 26 October

I look forward to Liza Couzens’ committed efforts as Acting Principal during this time, and I know you will offer her your support, which is such a wonderful characteristic of this school and parish community.   

Technology and Timeless Principles

Following on from last week’s article, I remind families that technology and the array of mobile communication devices are our tools.  They do not replace timeless principles and ways of being: 

• Respect
• Intention         
• Presence        
• Teacher Craft

We are as a school community clear that a mobile communication device may only be used during school time at a teacher’s discretion. Students are required to turn off all notifications and keep mobile phones on silent and out of sight while at school. In the Middle School, students are asked to place their phone in their locker, unless required as part of the intentional learning program as discerned by the respective teacher.

Listening to music in class on personal devices is not an EY- Year 12 school endorsed activity unless it forms part of the teacher’s intentional learning program or a student’s Individual Learning Plan.

Year 12 students may utilise their personal communication devices in the PRC Common Room during study periods to listen to music as an accompaniment to study. This would not occur at other times.

I thank students, staff and parents for assisting us to clarify the nuances of our policy in what is at the same time a space of great opportunity, but also with the potential for undermining the respect and presence we have to one another. 

Parent-teacher-student interviews

I thank parents, students and staff for their commitment to this week’s parent-teacher-student interviews. We appreciate deeply at Tenison Woods College that every learner has a place, every learner has a pathway, every learner will shine. I hope the interviews are assisting us in that challenge, while also providing an opportunity to celebrate the development achieved so far and how the individual student is part of our Tenison Woods College family.

Student Representation Policy

We are delighted at the gifts and talents of our students and the manner in which they represent our school and local community. 

The Tenison Woods College Board fosters excellence in faith, community, leadership academia, performing arts and sport achievement by supporting students who represent the College in State, National and International competitions and exhibitions of talent.

Students who represent the College community by virtue of their enrolment and achievement at a State, National and/or International level can request sponsorship from the College Board. Please refer to the following Student Representation Policy for details. For any queries or to seek clarification of the criteria, please contact Board Secretary, Mary de Nys.

Parish Planned Giving Rebate

I remind families that parents contributing to the St Paul’s Planned Giving may claim a rebate from Tuition Fees of 50% of their contribution up to a maximum claim of $750. Official Parish receipts are to be presented to the Business Manager after the 30 June 2018 for a deduction to be made.

Staff Professional Development Days – 7 and 8 June

Staff are looking forward to the staff professional development days on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 June, when they will devote time to the learning and assessment experiences prepared for students as well as the wellbeing approach at the College.

I trust students and parents will experience the benefits of the days through our service to students and families throughout the College. I remind families that these days are student-free days. 

God Bless,

David Mezinec | Principal

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