Showing the Spirit of Jesus at
St Aloysius Catholic College - Junior Campus

Long-standing families within Catholic Education would be familiar with The Making Jesus Real framework. Making Jesus Real, or MJR, was first imagined by Peter Mitchell, who many students and staff know as Mitch. Mitch has inspired many people to demonstrate the Spirit of Jesus to enrich the lives of others. Last week, Mitch met with Matt Gardiner and myself to discuss how we, as a community, can "show the spirit of Jesus”. Mitch reiterated that living Gospel values are not just something we learn in our Religious Education lessons; they are something we can live out daily, right here in our school and at home!

Here are some ways our students have been demonstrating the spirit of Jesus:

• Kindness: We've seen students helping their friends with their work and offering comforting words when someone feels sad. A simple smile or a "thank you" can make a big difference!
• Treating people respectfully means listening to our teachers and friends, using kind words, and treating everyone fairly, even when disagreeing.
• Helpful Hands: We've had students volunteering to tidy up the classroom, helping younger students in the playground, and even offering to carry books for their teachers. Every little bit of help makes our school a better place.
• Forgiveness and Understanding: We all make mistakes, and showing the spirit of Jesus means forgiving and understanding others. It's about remembering that everyone deserves a second chance.
• Being Thankful: Taking time to thank our teachers, friends, and family shows that we appreciate all the good things in our lives.

We've been so impressed with how our students embrace these values. It's wonderful to see their positive impact on our school community. We will continue to acknowledge students who demonstrate the spirit of Jesus at our upcoming Bugs and Bees gatherings and reinforce the message with every interaction we have on campus.

How can you help at home?

• Talk to your children about the importance of kindness, respect, and forgiveness.
• Encourage them to look for opportunities to help others.
• Celebrate their acts of kindness and compassion.
• Lead by example, showing your children how you try to live like Jesus.

Finally, I would like to take an opportunity to thank our incredible staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure your child’s start to the school year has been a positive one. The impact our teachers have cannot be questioned, but it can be even more profound when we work together. Your continued partnership will ensure our children have a clear and transparent support network in and out of the classroom, allowing them to achieve personal success in 2025. 

Yours Faithfully