A Blessing for Our Year 12s

It was a joy to conclude our Year 12 Retreat with a Chapel service and, for the first time, this was held outside. While windy and a bit cold, the weather held out and together we were able to participate in various rituals.

Our House Captains lit their House Candles and the Heads of House shared their hopes for, and commitments to, their students. To end the ceremony, each student helped create the House Artworks that will decorate their Head of House office. It will remind them of the group of young people who are sharing their year and the individuality of each person in the year level.

We concluded with the benediction below which is a blessing adapted from one written by Sarah Bessey. I shared it at the Staff Chapel and at the retreat because it so beautifully captures my prayer for our students and staff for the year.

As much as you are able, may you choose life.

I pray for the courage to admit you aren’t fine.

And that when you say those words out loud that you would be met with love and care.

I pray that you would remain open to participating in your own healing, even if it comes to you in ways you resent and fear at first.

May you welcome the love of God in unexpected ways.

May you keep your feet on the ground God created.

May you discern the difference between self-care and self-comfort; may you use them both wisely.

I pray that you would experience the Holy Spirit.

That you would become acquainted with the wind and the wave, the eagle and the heron, your strength and your weakness.

I pray that you would be right at home, right where you are, in this particular body, in this particular place.

I pray that together we would live in the truth of God’s mighty all-encompassing love that holds our answered prayers and our unanswered longings.

Our ordinary miracles.

May it be so.

In the name of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit

Amen

Celebrating Commissioning Services

Today we were delighted to Commission our Year 11 and Year 12 leaders, as well as the Year 12 cohort. It is always a significant morning for us as a school when we acknowledge their position and the responsibilities that come with it. 

Preparing for Harmony Week

Although it seems like a long way away, Harmony Week planning for Week 8 is already underway. We would like to invite parent and family input this year, dependent on parents and family members having a Working With Children Check and the COVID protocols at the time. We hope that we will be able to have some parents sharing their culture with us during this week.

So, if you would be willing and able to teach a lunchtime dance class for interested students, or you are interested in running a cooking class that shares your cultural background, please contact me on m.riviere-pendle@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au

I would love to hear from you!

Every blessing to you and your family as we start the new school year. It has already had its challenges, but there are also many wonderful moments happening each day at school.

Monique Riviere-Pendle

Chaplain