Shining Lights Week 5, Term 2, 25/5/2023

Laudato Si Week

Laudato Si' Week, from May 21 to 28, celebrates the 8th anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si'.  Students, across year levels, learn about how it contributes to Catholic Tradition and reinforces Catholic Social Teachings on human dignity, stewardship, rights and responsibilities and a preferential option for the poor.  

This year’s thme is "Hope for the Earth. Hope for humanity"

Some ways we’ve celebrated Laudato Si Week at Lumen include

• Daily notices with suggestions about how we can address the Laudato Si Goals at Lumen Christi
• Holding our weekly Lumen Social Justice Advocates meeting in the outdoor classroo
• Viewing excerpts from the film, "The Letter", which was launched for Laudato Si Week and tells the story of four "social poets" affected first-hand by the climate crisis who travel to Rome to meet Pope Francis
• Staff participation in an Integral Ecology Network zoom session with other staff in our Archdiocesan schools

Explore what else we’ve been up to here

All is not lost. 

Human beings…are capable of rising above themselves, 

choosing again what is good, and making a new start.

Pope Francis - Laudato Si

Learning Through Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the great Australian characteristics. Generously giving time to aid and assist has become a real part of being ‘an Aussie’, whether through formal or informal passages. Internationally, the importance of volunteering has been recognized via the International Year of Volunteers, designated for 2001 by the United Nations General Assembly. The initiative aimed at increased recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteering, to highlight the achievements of the millions of volunteers worldwide who devote their time to serving others, and to encourage more people globally to engage in volunteering.

What can you learn from volunteering? Interpersonal communication, time management, leadership, delegation, communication, leadership and problem-solving are a few transferable skills that people can develop through volunteer work. At Lumen, volunteering is promoted as a way of learning through a variety of service activities. These are in areas such as RE Mission (Yr 10), PBL (Yr 9), SLR (Yr 11), the Friday morning BBQ Crew (K-12) among a whole host of other opportunities.

In the coming months we will also be launching opportunities for students to further develop their learning through volunteering through the participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. The award consists of four sections:  service, physical recreation, skills and adventurous journey. At Gold level, participants also complete a residential project. Supportive networks, including adult award leaders, assessors, supervisors and mentors, assist in helping participants reach their goals and obtain their awards through the course of their involvement in the program. Stay tuned for more details!

Here are some of the great volunteering opportunities our students have been a part of recently:

Primary Musical - SHREK is Coming!

In Term 4 our Primary Students will be preforming the Disney JR Musical Shrek, in place of our Christmas Concert performance.  There has been a lot of talk and excitement around this as our year five and six students prepare themselves to audition for the various roles within the musical. K-4 will also have their chance in the spotlight performing a song and dance as part of the musical.  

Our last Primary School Musical was Pinnochio in 2018. Subsequent musicals have not been performed due to COVID restrictions.  

There are many reasons why a Primary School Musical is beneficial to our students;

1. Development of Creativity and Imagination: Performing in musicals allows Primary school students to explore and express their creativity and imagination. By participating in a musical, students get to experience the joy of using their imagination to bring a story to life. 
2. Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem: Performing in front of an audience can be a nerve-wracking experience, but it can also be incredibly empowering. By participating in a musical, Primary school students get the opportunity to build their confidence and self-esteem. Through practice and performance, students learn to trust themselves and their abilities. 
3. Enhances Public Speaking and Communication Skills: Performing in musicals requires students to speak clearly and project their voices. This helps them develop essential public speaking and communication skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. 
4. Encourages Teamwork: Performing in a musical requires students to work together as a team. They learn to rely on each other, support each other, and work towards a common goal. This fosters a sense of community and cooperation that is essential for success in any group endeavor. 
5. Cultural Enrichment: Performing in a musical exposes students to different cultures, traditions, and art forms. This helps them develop a broader understanding of the world around them and fosters a sense of empathy and tolerance. 
6. An authentic way to meet Creative Arts and Performing Arts curriculum requirements.
7. Develops a positive community and brings community together as participants, audience and performers. We have parents who volunteer with set design, costumes, makeup to name a few ways parents are involved. Grandparents, friends, family members enjoy viewing the performance. It also allows the preschool students and parents to see what Lumen has to offer prior to their school journey, and links us in with Imlay House, disabled services and other primary schools in the local community.  
8. Allows students an opportunity to showcase skills and develop a passion for creative arts. 

If there are any parents who would be willing to assist with the musical in costuming, makeup, set design or prop making, or in any other way please get in touch, we would love your help!