International Women’s Day is tomorrow.  This is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women whilst also marking a call to action for accelerating gender equality. The global theme for 2020 is Generation Equality. This theme will run for the year.

The message is that we challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perspectives, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help to create a gender equal world. When we have a gender equal world our communities and economies thrive.

Last Saturday we hosted our Open Day. Close to two hundred families visited the College. In the Principal’s address I was able to highlight the benefits of an all-girl's education for the developing girl. One of the key strengths outlined is the absence of gender bias at the College. With a student population of only girls, everyone has access to all experiences and resources. Staff will not align certain subjects with certain genders. One group in the class is not advantaged over another in the class based on gender. The girls are exposed to all there is and encouraged to give it all a go. Sadly, gender bias blocks access for some in the community. It places limitations on some and it makes judgements which are unfounded and incorrect. Our students are free to develop based on their strengths, interests and abilities, not their gender.

There was clear evidence of this at our International Women’s Day breakfast, hosted at the College yesterday morning. We heard from guest speakers Maxine Colligan (Class of 2015), Automative Refinishing Technician; Cindy Corrie (Class of 1999) established a special school and Rebecca Easey (Class of 1992) School Deputy Principal about how their time at St Patrick’s empowered them to follow their dreams and move into the career of their choice based on their passion and interest. All three were inspiring and provided valuable words of advice and wisdom to all in the audience.

Women will continue to agitate for equality across the world and across time. It defies logic that people are acknowledged in remuneration, ownership of resources, position of influence, and positions of responsibility based on their gender. When I see the talent and capacity of our students, it is unjust to think that they will be limited by their gender unless they are active in challenging the status quo. The theme for this year is that women raise their voices together to make the change. Let us hope that your daughter will experience a more equal world once she graduates from the College, thanks to the work of the generations before her.

Finally, we have our P&F AGM on Monday 16 March at 7.00pm in the Benedict Centre. There is one position vacant and it would be wonderful if you could come along to offer your assistance. The positions for the P&F are advertised in the Inside Out.

I will leave you with a reflection on women.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal 

Women are a reflection of the glory of God. Today we honour the women of all times and all places:

Women of courage.
Women of hope.

Women suffering
Women mourning.
Women living fully.
Women experiencing joy.
Women delighting in life.

Women knowing the interconnectedness of the human family.
Women honouring the sacredness of the relational, the affective.

Women quietly tending the garden of human flourishing.
Women boldly leading the transformation of unjust global structures.

Women seeking Wisdom.
Women sharing Wisdom.

Women receiving Love.
Women giving Love.

Women: life-giving.
Women: the image of God.

Loving God, we celebrate your faithfulness and love. On this day we commit ourselves to the promotion of the full humanity of all women everywhere. We know that whatever denies, diminishes, or distorts the full humanity of women is not of God.

Help us to be faithful to your call to love.
Amen.

by https://educationforjustice.org/