In this week’s Gospel (Mark 4: 35-41), Jesus calms the sea with the words: “ ‘Be calm!’ and the wind dropped and all was calm again”.

Last year, I had the wonderful experience of being on pilgrimage in the Holy land. Early one morning, I sat in a church built by the crusaders on the edge of the Sea of Galilee. Although this chapel was a thousand years removed from Jesus’ times and I was a further thousand years removed from the crusaders, I felt a strong connection to the message in this week’s Gospel. As I sat in silence, I could hear the wind behind the waves thudding against the solid granite blocks of the chapel wall.

Whilst the morning was cold and the day cloud covered, I felt strangely secure sitting in this small chapel. At the same time as the waves crashed, there was a calmness both within me and within the small chapel. In reflection of this experience and this reading, I wonder whether Jesus’ message is a directive or an offer? When our world is difficult and comes crashing in around us, are we able to place our trust in God and ‘be calm’?

On Monday, we held our annual College Athletics Carnival at Leumeah. As I have said in the past, schools will nominate certain activities not only for extra curricula opportunities but also as community building days. The Athletics carnival is one of those for us. This day enables students to get out of the normal routine and normal interactions and take time to socialise with each other. At the same time, it is an opportunity for students to excel in domains outside of the classroom. Our carnival was a great success with students achieving personal bests and even on occasion breaking records. A big congratulations to the students who attended and participated, and to Mr Webb and his supporting staff for their organisation and efforts. 

Wednesday saw the delivery of the Year 10 subject selection evening. This year, we began this evening in the new STEM building with the faculty stands where students and parents were able to ask questions of the Key Learning Area (KLA) Coordinators and senior teachers. We then moved to the College Champagnat Centre for the formal presentation on the HSC, ATAR and RoSA and the process of subject selection. At the start of the presentation, I asked the students what their reason was for attending Mount Carmel and encouraged them to make a conscious decision to be here rather than coasting through and not taking the opportunities presented. This built on our last College Academic Assembly where I asked students how they make the deliberate decision to take opportunities presented at the College. As one of the Marist Characteristics is a ‘love of our work’, it is important to continually revisit what this means for us and how we can live this in practice.

Tonight, a number of our students will remain after school, for a small experience of the Vinnies winter sleepout. Whilst we do not take an entire night to do this, the students will take time to contemplate how they might contribute to improving our community through sacrifice and awareness raising. We aim to build compassion for those who are disadvantaged within our society. Students are encouraged to understand that compassion is important but requires action in order to be effective. A huge thank you to Mrs Nguyen for her effort in organising and coordinating this event.

Ite in Veritate