Advent is a time of new beginnings, and for schools and parents across our Diocese, this season links powerfully to the hopes and prayers of preparing for a new school year.
In this reflective piece, we hear the voices of those who play pivotal roles in shaping this journey: the Principal, the parent, and the teacher.
Each brings a unique perspective, woven together by the threads of faith and education, illustrating the profound impact Advent can have on a student’s passage into a new phase of learning.
Delma Horan, Principal
Nagle College, Blacktown
Our Year 7, 2024, students begin their Catholic secondary school journey filled with infinite possibility and promise. My hope is that our students, who are crafted in God’s image, are inspired by the example of Nano Nagle to be women of faith and light for others.
I imagine our Year 7 students developing into compassionate and confident young women, embodying our school values of Welcome, Faith, Learning, Courage and Action. They will have opportunities to explore, engage, grow and excel in the curriculum, laying strong foundations for learning for life.
Year 6 students from St Michael’s Primary Blacktown South with students from Nagle College, Blacktown, during an orientation day. Image: CSPD/Supplied
I want our students to find their passions and to build on them. From learning in the classroom to co‑curricular pursuits to developing friendships, I hope our students gain a sense of belonging to our community.
As they navigate this pivotal year, may they grow not just as learners but as people of spirit and connection.
Glenda Wilson, Parent
St Thomas Aquinas Primary and St Columba’s Catholic College, Springwood
As 2023 comes to a close, I begin to turn my thoughts to 2024 and what lies ahead for my three daughters.
For my youngest, it’s a scene I’ve been a part of twice before. Seeing her in a school uniform for the first time, I know that by the time the shoes begin to lose their shine she will be well on her way into what at this moment feels like the biggest leap.
For my middle child, she too is embarking into the unknown. Leaving the safety of her primary pond as she prepares to wade in wider waters. Her fierce spirit, endless curiosity and gentle patience have her well equipped to take on the new challenge.
On the other hand, my teenager is well on her way. Beginning Year 8, her steps are more assured. I’m in awe of the young woman she is becoming and the way she takes on challenges and uses them to affirm her growing sense of self.
I am humbled to play a role in each of their unique journeys. I stand ready and filled with hope to be their comforter and cheerleader in what promises to be a big year for us all.
Tasmin Higgins, Kindergarten Teacher
St Patrick’s Primary School, Guildford
Being an Early Stage One teacher for the past seven years, I often reflect on my hopes for the students that enter my classroom. Kindergarten is a foundational year that marks the beginning of a student’s learning journey at school.
As an educator it is essential for me to acknowledge parents as a child’s first educator and to support them in their transition to formal learning. It is extremely important to make this a positive experience for them by providing a safe space for students to grow in their independence, form healthy friendships, become resilient and show kindness.
Students at St Patrick’s Primary, Guildford, during an orientation day. Image: CSPD/Supplied
I want my students to become problem solvers who are able to communicate their thoughts and feelings effectively. I want my students to be curious about their faith and to be given opportunities to explore Scripture to make connections to their own lives, which will support them in forming a lifelong relationship with Jesus.
I encourage play and hope to achieve all this by providing opportunities for my students to practise skills through purposeful play. Ultimately, I hope my students feel safe and develop a lifelong love of learning within a faith-filled environment.
This article was originally published in the 2023 Advent and Christmas | Summer edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
