Parents’ Association

De La Salle Parents’ Association

It has been wonderful this year to see so many new faces at our functions, and to have parents new to the school volunteering to help — this bodes well for the future years at the College. Our year began with the New Book Sale which worked very efficiently with the tremendous support of a lot of parents. It is a wonderful service offered to parents at the school, and is also a great start to our fundraising efforts. The Morning Tea for New Parents was held on the first day of school as usual, and the Cocktail Party for Parents New to the School was held in February. The atmosphere is always welcoming, and the parents seem to enjoy both of these special events. The Opening Mass was well attended, with the proceeds collected on the day donated to the Country Fire Authority. Our Annual General Meeting was held in March, and it was encouraging to have some new faces appointed to the Executive Committee. We presented Br. Tim with a cheque for $12,000 which we suggested be used on the Kinnoull Campus. The Fun Run/ Walk was held in late March with all who attended enjoying the chance to socialise and exercise. To provide some variety in our program the Committee is looking to replace the Fun Run/Walk next year with an event such as a Family Bowls Day. We have held Mothers’ Weekends and Working Bee Weekends for families at Jan Juc which have all been successful. A lot of time and effort has been put into the Jan Juc residences — painting, carpet tiles, curtains, cleaning, new fences, new hot water services, gas bottles moved etc. — and now both properties are in really good shape. Our usual fantastic fund raising nights have been held again this year – the Trivia Night in May, the Wine Night in August and the Fashion Parade in September. What wonderful social evenings these are, and always raise money which in the end goes back into the College. We held two General Meetings during the year to which all parents at the school were invited to hear reports from Br. Tim and the Parents’ Association. At our October meeting, we had a guest speaker, Dale Johnstone from the Victoria Police Schools Liaison Section to speak on ‘Party Safe’. This was very well received. We have held an Easter Raffle, two Term Fee Raffles and produced a excellent De La Cuisine cookbook – if you haven’t bought one yet, get your order into the office now! A large number of parents volunteered to help with the Second Hand Book Sale in December, which enabled families to recycle their text books and also save some money. I would like to thank all Class Representatives, volunteer parents and all parents who have supported our functions during the year – but I would personally like to thank my hard-working Executive Committee: Trish Woodman, Tony Tesoriero, Gary Squire, Elizabeth Kortum, Jeanette Bentley, Angela Bodin, John Davies, Robyn Graf, John Hindle, Ann Manning, Sue Palmer, Catherine Rousell-Menke, Andrea Smith, Don Weston and Ken Wilson. We have had a good year and I wish you all good luck in your future years at De La Salle. Judith Clancy President

Religious Education

Relatives and friends, not to mention teachers, regularly interrogate students about their futures. They’re often asked, ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ Depending on the age of the young person, responses may range from such timeless favourites as fireman and doctor, to more critical choices as the time for decision-making approaches. But there is another more important question, which is not asked often enough. ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ When we were baptised we commenced our Christian vocation. St Paul exhorts Christians to ‘lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called’ (Eph 4:1). For most, the worthy life is lived in the state of marriage, but some are called to consecrate themselves to God as priests, religious brothers or sisters. In any case, a Christian vocation is a call to service. At De La Salle students are encouraged to listen to the voice of God in their heart and follow him wherever he may lead. Year 7,8&9 members of the Student Representative Council attended the Hearts on Fire Vocations Congress at the Exhibition Buildings and were treated to live music, drama and displays from innumerable Catholic organizations, religious orders and missionary movements, including our own De La Salle Brothers. Students at Year 10 spent all of Term 2 considering the topic of vocation in their Religious Education classes. And Year 11 and 12 students listened to an address from the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Fr Paul Stuart. Whilst our students make important decisions about their future, there is nothing more important than the decision to live the ‘worthy life.’ What is God calling you to be?

Mr Ian Smith Religious Education Coordinator

Faith Development

Students from Years 4 to Year 10 have this year participated in a Sacraments preparation program at De La Salle. The Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) was received in Term 2, First Eucharist in Term 3 and finally, Confirmation on the 7th November, all at St Joseph’s Parish church. At the beginning of each of the three terms, students and their parents met to talk about what the particular Sacrament meant to them and how they might prepare together for the Sacrament. In preparing for Reconciliation the students looked at how they interact in their daily lives with their families, teachers and their peers. They talked about how they can build good relationships and also how they can harm themselves and others by the choices they make. Through meditating on scripture passages they came to realise the need to develop a forgiving heart just as God so readily forgives us. Central to their understanding was how they need to both receive and give forgiveness every day and the great gift the Church offers them through the Sacrament of Penance. In Term 2 students studied the historical foundations of the Sacrament of Eucharist; they looked at the structure and prayers of the Mass. They also reflected on the various ways in which we encounter Christ in our celebration and are fed, on the Word of God, through sharing the Eucharistic meal and through the nurturing of a faith community. Nineteen students were Confirmed by Bishop Chris Prowse on the 7th November. They spent time meeting each week to discuss the commitment they were now making in faith and how they should live as Christians. The met with Bishop Prowse, participated in a Retreat day and a city excursion to have a look at the various ways in which people live out their commitment to Christ. Hopefully all the students came to understand that the grace the Church offers us in the Sacraments is transforming and life giving.

Mrs Joan Ferguson It is my great good fortune in my role to have a part to play at many of the major points of the school year. This begins with the Leaders’ Investiture, followed by Ash Wednesday marked by liturgies at each year level. First term also sees the retreats for Year 11 and 12 students, which are mentioned in detail elsewhere. The young men then have the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of Lent as the preparation for Easter through prayer services in class and finally through the Easter liturgy as a year level. This year Year 7 students had the chance to reflect on the theme of community in Reflection Days held at Phoenix Park. Term 3 also sees two whole school Masses – the Social Justice Mass, where goods are collected for those less fortunate and Founder’s Day Mass which celebrates the life and charism of St John Baptist De La Salle. Term 4 sees all the ‘ends’: the final Yr 12 assembly in the College Gym, the Year 12 Graduation Mass (and Dinner) at Caulfield racecourse, the Year 11 end of year Mass at St Jospeh’s and then the final Tiverton assembly. These days many people do not participate in organised religion. However, as recent research has shown, humans are ‘hard-wired’ for the spiritual, the transcendent. My prayer is that each of us takes the journey of life, with God as leader, gently leading us into the fullness of life. Mr Patrick Jurd Faith Development Coordinator