Prayer and Liturgy

As a Catholic community, prayer and liturgy is very important to the life of Notre Dame College. It is in our understanding of our relationship with God that we come to understand ourselves and who we are. Prayer is an important part of our daily school life as it reminds us that our day is devoted to God and it is through God's grace alone that we continue to strive to be a unique, whole and holy person.

During the year there are a number of significant and special occasions where we come together as a whole College community to celebrate. These events include the College Mass, our Easter Paraliturgy and the Feast of the Assumption.

In our Religious Education classes students have the opportunity to engage in a more personalised prayer experience. Classes regularly start with a prayer and students are engaged in creating and guiding the prayer in class. Additionally, due to our close relationship with the parish of St Brendan's, students attend a morning Mass with the parish community once a fortnight. This connection to the parish reminds us that we are a part of a wider social community and a global Catholic Church.

Faith Leaders

Our Faith teachers and staff are supported by our 2024 Faith Leaders, Emily Putman and Agna Shinto. The Faith Leaders promotes the concept of Catholic faith and ministry within and beyond the College community.

Responsibilities include:

• having the ability to enthuse and give student voice to the College community in the area of faith and ministry and to take a leading role in this area within the College.
• demonstrating creativity and energy in the area of student involvement in faith and ministry projects and events.
• keeping the students informed about faith and ministry initiatives within the College via assemblies, the College Newsletter and social media, and the daily bulletins.
• coordinating and/or assisting in various faith and ministry initiatives/projects within the school.

Social Justice and Reconciliation

Social Justice at Notre Dame College is based on our Marist and Mercy traditions where every young person is valued equally and given the opportunity to express their faith in God through service and involvement in social justice activities. Events like Mission Mart, Caritas Ks, Winter Sleep Out, Soup Van and Community Kitchen help us put into actions the values and beliefs of our founders. Through this active participation students and staff are united in living out this essential part of our Catholic Faith.

The example of Catherine McAuley and Marcellin Champagnat guide the College to contribute in a kind and compassionate way to the needs of our world. With the help of organisations like Caritas Australia and St Vincent de Paul the College donates much in the way of money, time and service to both our local and international communities.

Reconciliation and the education of Indigenous Students is a very important part of the Catholic Education experience at Notre Dame College. We have a significant focus on the celebration of Indigenous culture and a very active group of staff and students who are commissioned Fire Carriers. The annual Reconciliation Assembly is an example of the way we celebrate the local Indigenous people and their spirituality and stories within the life of our College. This is also supported by student programs and fundraising based on the Open the Doors Foundation. The College employs an Indigenous Education Support Worker for one on one assistance to our Indigenous students.

Social Justice Leaders

Our staff and students are supported by our Social Justice Leaders, Kiera Shaw and Will Clurey.

The Social Justice Leader promotes the concept of social justice within and beyond the College community.

Responsibilities include:

• having the ability to enthuse the College community in the area of social justice and to take a leading role in this area within the College.
• demonstrating creativity and energy in the area of student involvement in social justice projects and events.
• keeping the students informed about social justice initiatives within the College via assemblies, the College Newsletter and social media, and the daily bulletins.
• coordinating and/or assisting in various social justice initiatives/projects within the school.

Game Changers

Game Changers is a comprehensive Catholic youth ministry program for students in Marist Schools from Years 7-12. The dynamic program is a way for students to further develop their Christian faith through the exploration and enactment of the stories of Jesus, Mary and St. Marcellin, within a supportive environment.

Highlighted by a strong sense of community, Game Changers participate in regular meetings, creative faith formation activities and service opportunities that allow our students to become faith-filled leaders and agents of change in our school community.

One Journey Three Tracks

Game Changers has three tracks, each related to the concept of following a journey. These tracks are grounded in the stories of Jesus, Mary, and Marcellin. Participating students are invited to undertake the following tracks across the six year levels, with the focus on each track over two years.

Meet our Game Changers

Retreats and Reflection

Throughout a student's time at Notre Dame College they have an opportunity to be engaged in various reflection days and retreats. These reflection days and retreats are designed to be an opportunity for students to deepen their personal relationship with God. The retreat and reflection days are focused on students spending time critically thinking about their own spirituality.

The two major retreats that are run at Notre Dame College are the Year 10 retreat day and the Year 12 retreat. The Year 10 retreat day focuses on students and their understanding of who they are and what they want to achieve in their final two and a half years of school. The Year 12 retreat is the longest retreat run for students at Notre Dame. The retreat runs over three days and in that time students are guided through;

• The beginning of their story
• Communication and triggers
• Who am I?
• Meditation
• Family
• Letter writing
• God
• The Relationship Tree
• Affirmations

By the end of three days of retreat the goal is that a student will know four things better; themselves, their peers, their relationship with family and friends and their relationship with God.

Cultural Diversity Leaders

Our students are supported by our 2024 Cultural Diversity Leaders, Gracielle Igat and Francis Nfundiko.

The Cultural Diversity Leader promotes and gives student voice to the cultural diversity of students and families in the College community.

• having the ability to represent the College community in the area of cultural diversity and to take a leading role in this area within the College.
• demonstrating creativity and energy in student involvement in cultural diversity projects and events.
• keeping the school body informed about cultural diversity initiatives within the College via assemblies, the College Newsletter and social media, and the daily bulletins.
• coordinating and/or assisting in various cultural diversity initiatives/projects within the College.

The Sisters of Mercy and the Marist Brothers

Sisters of Mercy

Catherine McAuley, born in Ireland in 1778, was deeply aware of the human suffering caused by social, economic and religious persecution. Her faith led her to dedicate herself to serving the poor, sick and uneducated of her time, founding the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy in 1831 in Dublin, Ireland.

The mission of the pioneering women was to focus on responding to unmet needs, through direct service and seeking ways to change unjust systems.

The Sisters of Mercy have established hundreds of education and health care facilities throughout many countries, and their work continues today.

Although Sisters of Mercy have departed from their role of educators and pastoral care givers, Notre Dame College remains affiliated with Mercy Education. The Mercy ethos, values and philosophy remain embedded in our College.

The Marist Brothers

The Marist Brothers was founded in 1817 by St Marcellin Champagnat in his first year of being ordained as a priest. The term Marist (“Mariste” in French, derived from “Marie” (an equivalent of Mary) and “iste”, denoting members or followers of) symbolises Champagnat’s devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus.

Witnessing the poor treatment of students, Champagnat was motivated to establish a society of Catholic brothers that would care for and provide education to children with a particular focus on those most vulnerable and neglected.

At the time of his death, there were 280 Marist Brothers in the south of France and this has since spread to 74 countries throughout the world.

Although the Marist Brothers are no longer serving at our College, Notre Dame College remains a Marist-affiliated College upholding the values instilled in us by St Marcellin Champagnat and his life work.