今日吃瓜

Mission Update – Term 2 Week 5

Jenni Vile on 22/05/2026

This week, our Year 7 students participated in their annual retreat day, centred on the themes of identity, God鈥檚 love, and our call to love others within our community. Throughout the day, students were invited to reflect on Jesus鈥� command to love your neighbour, considering what this means not only in theory, but in the everyday life of our College community. Through discussion and reflection, students explored how simple acts of kindness, inclusion, forgiveness, and compassion help to build a community where all people feel valued, known, and loved.

At the same time this week, five of our secondary students had the privilege of attending the Secondary Launch of the LifeLink Appeal, led by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe. The gathering invited students to reflect on the life and witness of Saint Francis of Assisi, whose 800th anniversary year is being remembered across the Church in 2026. Francis鈥� life reminds us that holiness is not found in grand gestures alone, but in living simply, compassionately, and with deep love for both people and creation.

One of the central reflections of the day came through the well-known prayer often attributed to Saint Teresa of 脕vila:

These words challenge each of us to recognise that the work of building a loving and compassionate community does not belong to someone else – it belongs to all of us. As followers of Christ, we are called to be the hands that help, the feet that walk alongside others, and the eyes that see the dignity and worth of every person.

This message connects powerfully with the coming feast of Pentecost this weekend. Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit was given not simply for comfort, but to send the disciples out into the world with courage, hope, and purpose. The same Spirit calls us today to continue the mission of Jesus in the way we speak, act, serve, and care for one another.

As a College community, may we continue striving to be people who reflect God鈥檚 love in practical and meaningful ways, building a community shaped by compassion, welcome, and service, where each person knows they belong.

Mr Stuart McClorey

DIRECTOR OF MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

From the Principal – Term 2 Week 5

Jenni Vile on 22/05/2026

The Power of Break: It Leads to Connection, Appreciation and Reset

The mid-term break, which includes WA Day, is fast approaching and, as families, I am sure we are looking forward to time together and precious moments. That weekend, we have the Lavalla Wizard of Oz Production, which will be such a treat to watch, but I am sure many of you are planning an outing, a weekend away or a catch-up. I wonder how many of us are intentionally setting aside quiet and unstructured times to just be present, breathe and experience true downtime without an agenda to 鈥榙o鈥�?

Accompanying the Year 10 group to camp just over a week ago got me thinking more about the importance of stillness, quiet time and presence in the moment. The camp is designed for our students to experience 鈥楤ecoming Adult鈥�, and it follows on from The Rite Journey program undertaken in Year 9. There were challenging moments, expectations with responsibility for tasks, teamwork, problem solving and discomfort. There was also significant time for silence, stillness and presence to oneself and one another. Staring into the fires each camp area set nightly was not simply providing a function to keep the group warm before heading to bed. Gathered at the fire, like so many cultures across time and place, the fire invited the warmth of community, reflection, contemplation and the invitation to listen properly to others around us and to nature.

It is crucially important for our young people and our own wellbeing to experience quiet and presence in the moment. It just does not happen enough or for long enough in everyday life. A phone out to scroll or even in proximity, a journey in the car where all but the driver quickly put earbuds in and watch reels, movies or listen to music. All are distractions and foils to true stillness. They seem to be connections but are actually things that draw us from connection.

Recently, the College Executive and I had the great joy of interviewing families and Year 4 students for positions to join 今日吃瓜 in Year 7, 2029. It is so heartening to meet wonderful families and joyful children who tell the story of their own learning and pursuits out of school. What I am also acutely listening for is the family time, the protection of the simplicity of sitting together to share a meal at night, to have board games and conversations. Happily, I am hearing more and more parents reducing the number of activities and programs that fill up a young person鈥檚 afternoon, early evening and weekend and their intentional efforts in the family to model and provide breaks that foster connection, appreciation and reset. What great examples of the Marist characteristics of Presence and Simplicity. I think you are doing it better than I did as a father of my children at this age.

Please read on through the Newsletter to the key sections of the publication. The Vice Principal鈥檚 piece will be covering more of the wonderful achievements and engagements of the past fortnight.

Within the next few weeks, may there be moments of stillness, quiet and old-fashioned connection in the life of your family that bring you great joy.

Mr Andrew Watson

PRINCIPAL

From the Vice Principal – Term 2 Week 3

Jenni Vile on 08/05/2026

Secondary Colours and Honours Update

Next week, students will receive a co-curricular report for their time at the College until the end of 2025. This will include a list of recorded co-curricular activities and an accumulated total for each pillar.

Students will be provided with a form to complete if they feel there are records missing from their report. We ask that students and families are patient as these forms are processed; Year 11 and 12 forms will be reviewed first as a priority. We are looking forward to acknowledging our next group of Colours and Honours recipients at the Celebration Assembly on Tuesday 30 June.

An overview of the College Co-Curricular is available .

Mrs Beth Murphy

VICE PRINCIPAL

Mission Update – Term 2 Week 3

Jenni Vile on 08/05/2026

This weekend, we celebrate all the wonderful mothers and grandmothers in our community. At this morning鈥檚 Mother鈥檚 Day Liturgy at Lavalla, we reflected on a simple but powerful moment from the Gospel. As Jesus was going through one of the most difficult moments of his life, Mary stayed beside him at the foot of the cross. She could not take away his pain, but her loving presence remained with him. During our reflection, I shared a conversation I had with one of our Year 2 students before the liturgy. I asked her how she felt about doing a reading in front of everyone. She smiled nervously and said, 鈥淚鈥檓 scared鈥� but it will be okay because my mum is here.鈥�

Those simple words captured something beautiful about our Mums. Often, mothers do not need to say or do anything extraordinary – their presence alone brings comfort, courage, reassurance, and love. I know it is certainly enough for my own two children. As a Marist community, we also look to Mary, our Good Mother, as an example of gentle strength, compassion, courage, and faithfulness. Mary teaches us how to live lives filled with love and care for others. God also teaches us ways we can be good and loving…with one of those ways being to honour our parents, especially on special days like Mother鈥檚 Day. My hope is that all of the children in our community can find a special way to give thanks to the mothers, grandmothers, carers, and mother figures who support and guide us today. While this weekend is a special opportunity to show our appreciation, perhaps it is also a reminder to show that gratitude more often – through our words, our actions, and the way we care for those who care for us so deeply.

Mr Stuart McClorey

DIRECTOR OF MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

Primary Update – Term 2 Week 3

Jenni Vile on 08/05/2026

As Mother鈥檚 Day approaches this weekend, we pause to acknowledge and celebrate the many mothers, grandmothers and significant mother figures within our school community. Your care, generosity and unwavering commitment enrich the lives of our children in countless ways. We extend our sincere appreciation for all that you do and wish you a very happy Mother鈥檚 Day.

ANZAC Day

We extend our sincere thanks to our students and to Mrs Terry for leading our ANZAC Day service. Our choir contributed beautifully to this solemn occasion. The service provided an opportunity to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, and to reflect on the broader impact of war, conflict and peacekeeping in Australia鈥檚 history. As a community, we also took time to pray for those involved in wars, their families, and for peace throughout the world.

Guild Cross Country

It was wonderful to witness the strong sense of participation and sportsmanship displayed at last week鈥檚 Cross Country Carnival. Students approached the event with enthusiasm, determination and a commitment to giving their best. We were particularly pleased to introduce a Mini Cross Country for our Pre-Primary to Year 2 students. This initiative encouraged perseverance, with students striving to complete as many laps as possible while developing confidence and resilience in a supportive environment. We also saw outstanding talent among some of our runners, with those who had trained in the lead-up to the event achieving impressive personal bests.

As we approach the end of Week 3, many students have already begun working towards the goals established during the recent parent-teacher interviews. This provides valuable opportunities for both students and families to celebrate progress while continuing to strive towards new goals.  By working in partnership, we can ensure our children are supported to flourish as compassionate, responsible and faith-filled individuals. We thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to the mission of our school.

Recognition of Outstanding Achievement

We congratulate several students on their recent achievements.

  • Cruz Priolo was outstanding in finishing first in the Esperance WA State Series Kart Championship.
  • Indi Priolo achieved remarkable success at the Fierce Talent Competition, placing first in her singing solo and receiving the highest overall score across all genres.
  • Harry Bluff has been selected for the Perth Glory Youth Academy, a wonderful acknowledgement of his talent and dedication.

If your child has achieved state or national recognition in their sport or extra-curricular activity, we would love to hear about it so we can celebrate their success.  Please let us know the details by filling out this form. 

Mrs Laura Christopher

HEAD OF PRIMARY