On Thursday 20 May 2021, representatives from 27 Archdiocesan secondary schools gathered at Aranmore College for the annual “Archbishop’s Forum”. Joining Archbishop Costelloe SDB, Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and Executive Director Catholic Education WA, Dr Debra Sayce, for this event were special guests including:
- Ms Jacinta Collins, Executive Director, National Catholic Education Commission
- Mr Daniel Lynch, Executive Director, Office of the Archbishop
- Dr Christopher Cotter, Director, Religious Education, CEWA
- Mrs Diana Alteri, Team Leader, RE and Faith Formation, CEWA
The Archbishop’s Forum took on a new format this year, specifically designed to provide students with a more educational, interactive, and enjoyable experience. This began on arrival, as school representatives were requested to not sit at “School Tables” but rather to join students and teachers from other schools on “Group Tables”. This would be important for Part 2 of the Forum.
In Part 1, students heard from Bishop Sproxton, Dr Sayce and Mr Lynch, who during his Address officially launched the new LifeLink Informational Video which was developed and produced by secondary school students supported by the Archdiocese’s Marketing department.
If you haven’t yet viewed our wonderful new resource, we encourage you to do so.
The Keynote Address in Part 1 was delivered by the Archbishop, who spoke to the students about the Plenary Council 2021 and its primary objective or question to all Australian Catholics to consider:
“How is God calling us to be a Christ-centred Church in Australia
that is a joyful, hope-filled and servant community?”
In particular, His Grace discussed with the young people his core theme for the day – DISCERNEMENT.
We invite you to share Part 1 of the Forum via this video which includes captions and Auslan.
Following a break for a delicious morning tea, Part 2 was designated for REFLECTION & QUESTIONS.
Based on the Archbishop’s earlier Address, in Part 2, His Grace posed four (4) questions to the students which they were encouraged to discuss in table groups and provide feedback/responses which were displayed in real time on the projection screens using the Mentimeter programme.
Part 2 was wonderfully facilitated by Aranmore College Head Boy and Head Girl, Patrick Rustean and Matilda Parry.
The groups were provided each question and allotted time 10-15 minutes to discuss and respond, after which the Archbishop, Bishop and Dr Sayce spoke about their reactions to the feedback received from the tables.
After the Reflection period, students were afforded some limited time to ask any question of Archbishop Costelloe, Bishop Sproxton or Dr Debra Sayce that they would like – personal, faith based, political, educational. Whatever the students wanted to ask it was an open forum.
We invite you to share Part 2 of the Forum via this video which includes captions and Auslan.
THANK YOU!
The 2021 Archbishop’s Forum for Secondary Schools was an outstanding success.
Based on feedback received from representatives attending, this year’s new format was well received, and students really enjoyed the opportunity of meeting and getting to know students from other schools in their table groups.
From all of us here at the LifeLink Office, we would like to sincerely thank Aranmore College for once again hosting this important annual event for the Archbishop and LifeLink.
Our heartfelt thanks to Mr Declan Tanham, Principal; Sr Emma Llewellyn RSM, Head of Ministry, Patrick Rustean and Matilda Parry and all the Aranmore College students who assisted to make this event such an amazing event.
To our much-valued partner in LifeLink Day – Catholic Education Western Australia. Without CEWA’s enduring and enthusiastic support, LifeLink Day and the Archbishop’s Forum would simply not be possible. To Dr Debra Sayce, Executive Director, CEWA, Mrs Diana Alteri and staff from the RE and Faith Formation Team, CEWA, please know how grateful we are to you all.
EVENT PHOTOGRAPGHS
We warmly invite you to view some of the fantastic photos acquired at the Forum this year which provide a wonderful overview of the Forum and those who attended.
