Many things that seemed unaccountable crosses have proved indeed to be hidden blessings"

(Mary MacKillop 25th March 1873)

This quote also speaks to me of our current experience in remote learning 2.0, and the impact Stage 4 restrictions has had on our community. The week before Feast Day we were gearing up for an alternate celebration, with excitement and joy building around Feast Day and JJAMM Week. The announcement of Stage 4 restrictions and return to whole school remote learning was a challenge and disappointment for many. However, as always occurs with our community events at MSJ, God's graces and blessings could be witnessed across the school in our remote JJAMM Week.

On the Monday, we celebrated with PJJAMMa Day and challenged our families to reduce their carbon footprint by turning off lighting and heating. These small actions were a simple way for our school community to remember the deep love and spiritual connection Father Julian Tenison Woods had for nature. On the Wednesday, our teachers dressed up for classes online. Dress to Impress Wednesday is a new tradition at the College that invites students to nominate staff to dress up so we can fundraise for the work of local charity, Joseph’s Corner. On Friday, we were still able to celebrate the Feast of Mary MacKillop as a community. Staff and students tuned into a remote liturgy that focused on Mary's great influence on our lives and the many blessings and moments of gratitude we can find in our lives. Our annual JJAMM donut eating contest still occurred remotely with staff and students grabbing a donut at the shops and sharing this tradition with their families. The week was capped off with MSJ's Got Talent, with three students successful enough to move forward into a Josephite's Got Talent competition with other AJASS schools across Australia.

In Social Justice, we have challenged students to respond to the #raisetheage campaign, explored issues related to human trafficking and ethical shopping, and are now campaigning for our MSJ Winter Sleepout, remote learning style. Students will be challenged to ‘couch surf’. Couch surfing is a common form of homelessness in young people that is often not recognised. Are you up for the challenge? Do you want to know more about this issue – check out St Vincent De Paul, The Big Issue and Melbourne City Mission for information on this key issue.

Danielle Fairthorne - Director of Catholic Identity