Shalom College
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9 Fitzgerald Street
Bundaberg QLD 4670
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Email: shalom@shalomcollege.com
Phone: 07 4155 8111

Acting Principal's Reflection

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At Thursday’s assembly Mrs Freeman announced the 2025 College theme is the Year of Hope and will be symbolised with a rainbow. As most of us know rainbows are the universal sign of love, hope, happiness and acceptance.

Coincidently this message of hope was especially relevant as we also recognised the National Apology to the Stolen Generation, delivered on February 13, 2008. For decades, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children were forcibly removed from their families, causing deep trauma that continues today. For the Stolen Generations and their families, healing has not been instant or easy. Wishing that this did not happen cannot undo the pain of the past. The Apology was not just about acknowledging past wrongs, but about committing to healing, justice and hope. The kind of hope that is rooted in truth and action - allowing for restoration.

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At Shalom as we begin our Year of Hope, it is important for us to have an understanding what hope is to us. Sometime the distinction between hope and a wish can be confused. Wishing is passive – often focuses on immediate desires and change without action. Like the wish made when candles are blown out on a birthday cake. Which I am sure we are all familiar with. Whereas hope is active, it calls us to be participants. It is not just about sitting around waiting for something good to happen. It requires us to engage with life’s challenges, work towards goals and believe in the greater good. It acknowledges pain and injustice, but believes in a future shaped by truth, reconciliation and faith.

Hope can take many shapes for our students:

Academic Challenges: instead of wishing for an easy exam, hope leads them to prepare thoroughly, trusting that their hard work and efforts will be rewarded.

Friendship Issues: if facing conflicts with friends, rather than wishing the problem would just disappear, hope encourages them to address the issue with honesty and kindness, believing that reconciliation is possible.

Future Aspirations: while they might wish to become a professional athlete or artist overnight, hope inspires them to set realistic goals, work persistently, and trust in their God given gifts.

This year we are called to be people of hope, just as Jesus taught. This means standing with those who suffer, seeking justice, and trusting that God’s love can transform even the darkest situations. Hope is not about expecting life to be free from challenges. Instead, it is about trusting that God walks beside you. When faced with difficulties, hope gives you the strength to persevere, changes the way you look at things, and encourages you to live with purpose & confidence.

May we all move forward this year and become beacons of hope for our community.

Mrs Gail Norris
Acting Principal
Gail_Norris@rok.catholic.edu.au