Page 1895 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 2 May 2012
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community, including the parish priest and parishioners, is encouraged to live in harmony by becoming directly involved in school activities and programs, sharing their unique gifts with the community.
Harmony happens when people make a commitment to help one another and to work towards a common purpose, and we were privileged to hear the school choir perform their wonderful school song That’s harmony. Very briefly, the chorus is:
We are children of the rainbow,
we are children of new hope.
Children of a harmony of which Jesus spoke.
We are children of the living world,
trying harder as we grow.
Giving colours of the rainbow to everyone we know.
Once again, I congratulate Judy Walsh and all her staff on a wonderful morning this morning at St Michael’s primary school, Kaleen.
As part of Catholic education week, I was also privileged this morning to be able to attend the blessing and official opening of the Canberra Region Pathways Trade Training Centre, “The Bridge”, at Merici college. As usual, it was a very professional event that school principal Catherine Rey presided over. Rain interrupted the initial outdoor part of the ceremony, and a rather drenched but enthusiastic group of around 200 attendees then adjourned to the school hall where the proceedings continued.
Anne Cusack, the 2012 college captain, welcomed the assembled people. The welcome to country was by Aunty Jannette (Nin) Phillips, a Ngunnawal elder. There was the national anthem and the Merici college school band under John Thompson performed very capably. The welcome address from the school board was by Mr Graeme Plenderleith, the Merici board chair. The guest speaker was Mr Callum Hann, Australian ambassador for Jamie Oliver’s home cooking skills program and a chef.
There was a reading from Father Bony Abraham, Merici college chaplain. The address and blessing was by Monsignor John Woods, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. There were a number of readings, including prayers of intercession from Virginia Mcleod, Merici college staff member, and Dolores Balzanelli, a parent. Frank Fogliati from Black Mountain School was there. Tookie Capezio, a Merici college staff member, also gave a reading of prayer of intercession. Shae Walsh, a year 11 hospitality student, was another who gave a prayer of intercession. The event officiator was Dr Andrew Leigh, representing the federal government.
All in all, again it was a very interesting and wonderful presentation by the whole school. Particular congratulations go to the principal, Catherine Rey.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
The Assembly adjourned at 6.58 pm.
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