Religious Education News
Mini Vinnies
The Minnie Vinnies in Year 5 went for a walk to St Vincent De Paul. We learnt all about why they do the amazing things that they do and how they get all the donations. The volunteers that showed us around the fascinating place were really nice and kind. They showed us around the shop and there were a lot of things that were priced really cheap and they were all in good shape. There was a wide selection of items like shoes, antiques and clothes for all ages. They talked to us about where the money, clothes and food goes after people donate them. It turns out there is a massive St Vincent De Paul charity and food shop in Sydney which is where most of the stuff goes to. They also told us that food trucks come every day and they have a seperate room just for food.
They also mentioned that every week on Monday and Friday mornings they have meetings with people who are struggling and need more money or food. They take those peoples stories to their meetings and then they will give them money. If they can.That is where most of the money they receive goes to. St Vincent De Paul Society is doing an amazing job and they do all they can to help the people in need. If you want to help them, you can bring in some food for our winter hampers. Otherwise, you can visit one of the charity shops. There is one in Corrimal next to Woolworths and you can buy something from their wide selection of things.
Abbie Stenos
Year 5G
Our St Vincent de Paul visit was fun and the workers were very friendly. It was a great experience to see what they do for a living such as going in the waiting rooms and the supply room. There was lots of workers and they were all very nice. There was a president, secretaries and much more. Some people volunteer their time to work at the St Vincent de Paul Society. We know now what they do and how they give money to the poor and needy. The clothes were very cheap and it was a good way to raise money. The things in the shop were still in good conditions. We liked that there were volunteer women who helped sort all the clothes that were donated to the shop. After they sort the clothes they nicely put them on the shelf in the shop. It was such a good experience to see.
Darcy Shaw & Kynan Merola
Year 5
Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones.
Our loved ones who pick us up in our low moments and celebrate us in our high ones. Who cook us a feed to comfort us and pull us into line, when we need them too. They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths we can take today. Guidance, not only through generations of advocacy and activism, but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world.
We draw strength from their knowledge and experience, in everything from land management, cultural knowledge to justice and human rights. Across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics and everything in between, they have set the many courses we follow.
The struggles of our Elders help to move us forward today. The equality we continue to fight for is found in their fight. Their tenacity and strength has carried the survival of our people. It is their influence and through their learnings that we must ensure that when it comes to future decision making for our people, there is nothing about us - without us. We pay our respects to the Elders we’ve lost and to those who continue fighting for us across all our Nations and we pay homage to them.
During NAIDOC, we remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of our country and celebrate their rich cultures and inspiring contributions to Australia.
St Columbkille's acknowledged NAIDOC Week today with a celebration in the hall. Thank you to all involved, especially the students who spoke about their Elders, and our guestspeaker Bobbi Law from the NRLW Dragons Team.
