Good Samaritan Education celebrates 10 Years
By Moira Najdecki
Chair, Good Samaritan Education
In a year in which we celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia, I have reflected on the enormous contribution of the Good Samaritan Sisters to education. What a privilege it is to continue the work that began with the first Australian order of nuns in the 1850’s. I often reflect on the great diversity of that first group who ranged in age from 19 to 56 yrs old – all risk-takers and challengers, responding to the education and pastoral needs of the early colony. It was in that same spirit that, alive to the spirit of change, the Sisters invited laity to join them not just in the ministry of teaching, but in the mission of keeping alive the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition in education.
Thursday 22nd July 2021 marks the 10th Anniversary of the signing of the Statutes which brought Good Samaritan Education into being. It was a momentous occasion that resulted from many years of discussion, consultation and planning to establish an entity that would enable the 10 Australian Good Samaritan schools to continue to pursue their mission of providing a distinctive Catholic education.
This new ecclesial community was created with a governance structure that was collegial in nature; one that sought to provide direction and sustainability as Good Samaritan Education (GSE) developed and flourished. And flourish it has. The 10 fine schools that we have today are a testament to the work of the principals, staff, Boards and Members who, over the past 10 years, have led, supported, inspired and nurtured our ecclesial community to be the best it can possibly be.
To those Sisters and lay women and men who dreamt GSE into being we say thank you for your careful planning and guidance that gave us solid foundations. To the school communities who have embraced and progressed a Good Samaritan education in the Benedictine tradition, we say congratulations for building so well on the foundations bequeathed to you. To the students, the sole reason for our being, we say go forward as grounded, hope-filled young people who will lead wisely, listen deeply and treat your neighbours and your environment with justice, love and the compassion of Christ.
Text: https://goodsameducation.org.au/gse-celebrates-10-years/
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