Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews
from every nation under heaven. 
When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment,
because each one heard their own language being spoken. 

Acts 2:5-6

Recently our Church celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, a mysterious event when the Holy Spirit gifted the disciples with the ability to speak and communicate in languages that everyone understood. Anyone who has travelled overseas will understand how difficult and frustrating it can be trying to understand people when you don’t speak their language.

Whilst this event caused the salvific message of Jesus to spread very quickly within the early Church communities, it also raises questions for the modern Church and Catholic schools. How can we speak to students about their faith using language that they understand? Will they listen? Will we listen to them? In a world that deifies the individual and measures their worth via their social media profile, how can we make students listen to Catholic Social Teaching that has subsidiarity and community at its core?

There are many ways to speak to students, and many ways to listen. Communication begins with a positive relationship, and the Kilbreda College staff have built very strong and mutually respectful relationships with the wonderful Year 8 students in the first semester of this year.

One of the big experiences of Year 8 takes place next week: Triple E Week. Next week is a time to embrace challenges, learn from them and celebrate successes and even the occasional failure. The week consists of an excursion to the National Gallery for the Top Arts and The Picasso Century Exhibitions, a pastoral day at school facilitated by ‘yLead’ and the Year 8 Camp. ‘yLead‘, is an organisation that works with young people to develop their leadership skills via a series of team-based activities that build strong relationships and a positive group dynamic. More information can be found at https://ylead.com.au/

Let’s hope everyone can embrace the things that they find difficult and celebrate all the many things that will be joyful throughout Triple E Week, and then take the opportunity to enjoy the Term 2 break with family and friends alike.

Bill Fitzsimons
Level Leader: Year 8