Newsletter 12: 5 September 2023
Dear Colleagues,
Since the announcement for the date of the upcoming referendum to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, the media and airwaves have been awash with commentary, opinion, and information. Naturally, this important issue and historic referendum has generated heightened levels of interest among our school communities across the country.
Saint Marcellin Champagnat spoke often of the goal of Marist education to form Good Christians and Good Citizens. Very few of our students will have the opportunity to vote, however, the issue is one upon which many young people hold positions or are certainly curious to learn more.
In this context, Marist Schools Australia is inviting students from Marist schools, with their Principal’s approval, to enter:
The Marist Schools Australia 2023 National Essay Writing Competition
Length: 600 – 800 words
Submission date: Friday 6 October 2023
Prizes: First prize - $1,000
Second prize - $500
Third prize - $250
The Task
You have been asked to provide written advice to Australian voters in relation to the upcoming referendum to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
As a young Australian, what do you consider are the critical issues
to be considered in relation to the upcoming referendum?
Your advice must include reference to the following key documents:
i. The Uluru Statement from the Heart
ii. Referendum question and proposed amendment to the Constitution
iii. The Australian Catholic Bishops 2023 Social Justice Statement
iv. The goals of the Alice Springs Declaration on Australian education
The criteria on which each essay is assessed by a team of experienced senior English teachers includes:
• Quality of sustained and coherent reasoning and argument
• Quality of written expression, including punctuation, spelling, and grammar
• Integration of the four key documents
The essay is to be submitted electronically on a pdf document, font size 12 point, font style calibri, spacing 1.15-1.5, margin width moderate, pages numbered bottom right hand side of page, and direct reference to any of the four documents appropriately cited within the text or with footnotes.
Essays are to be submitted by the Principal of the school to the National Director.
CONGRATULATIONS TO KATE FOGARTY
On Thursday 7 September, the Most Reverend Shane Mackinlay DD, Bishop of Sandhurst, announced that Ms Kate Fogarty will be the next Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst. Kate’s appointment to this senior position in Catholic education means she will conclude her appointment as Principal of Assumption College Kilmore in January 2024.
Kate began as Principal of Assumption College Kilmore in 2015 and has consistently led the College with distinction over these last nine years. Through her leadership Kate has been a wonderful faith leader and has brought to the fore our Catholic Identity and Marist spirituality.
Kate has contributed generously to Marist life and mission here in Australia and overseas, as a valued member of the Council for the Marist Association of Saint Marcellin Champagnat and the International Marist Laity Commission. Kate has also served on the National Council for Caritas Australia.
Later this year there will be formal and informal opportunities for us to acknowledge the outstanding leadership and dedication Kate Fogarty has provided over these last nine years. Congratulations to Kate on her appointment to this significant role in Catholic education and we look forward to her leadership of Assumption College Kilmore throughout the remainder of 2023.