PRINCIPALS REPORT
PILGRIMAGE
During Week 11 and in the recent school holidays, I had the privilege of attending the Marist pilgrimage. We followed in the footsteps of St Paul, one of the most important people in spreading the Good News of Jesus and establishing the early Church across Europe and Asia Minor. St Paul's story is fascinating, travelling over 10000 miles to share Jesus' story, after spending his early life persecuting Christians. It was quite overwhelming to visit many of the sites talked about in the Bible where he spoke to some really challenging crowds. He was prepared to risk everything to do this work, and he eventually lost his life for doing so. There is no doubt that he was clearly inspired and made the ultimate sacrifice to do this work.
We also visited the Hermitage in France, where Marcellin Champagnat was similary inspired to ensure that the poor and uneducated children of Rural France had the opportunity to learn about their God who loved them. He showed similar commitment and dediciation in establishing the Marist Brothers to do this work. We carry on his call to make Jesus known and loved here at John Therry over 200 years later.
The aim of our Pilgrimage was to learn about these people, but more importantly get a sense of what inspired them, and their relationship with God, that might help us do this work in our own lives and roles.
The photos below capture some of my favourite memories, with the photo I took of Pope Francis one of the highlights.
ENROLMENT INTERVIEWS
We commenced enrolment interviews for Year 7 2025 on Monday afternoon. It is always a great experience meeting the families and children looking to come to John Therry and the excitement that beginning high school brings. We have over 260 applications in progress at the moment, with 190 positions available for 2025.
This is a final call for any siblings to complete an enrolment application online as soon as possible for consideration next year. Late applications are highliy unlikely to receive a place to start next year which we know can be very difficult for families to manage.
ANZAC DAY
I thank the staff and stiudents who attended the ANZAC Day Ceremony at Campbelltown during the holidays. John Therry always has a strong presence at this ceremony where we commemorate the sacrifices of the men and women engaged in World War 1, and remember all of our service men and women who have protected our country since. Lest we forget.