On 18th February 2009 during our Opening Mass, Dr Rodger Austin launched our new Statement of Mission to the School Community. A copy of his speach is setout below.

"Presentation of the new Statement of Mission

Today, it is my privilege to present the new Statement of Mission of St Clare’s College.

In so doing I express, on behalf of the College community, our appreciation to all those who participated in any way in its development. In particular I express our gratitude to the Committee who had responsibility for the composition of the Statement.

We acknowledge the commitment and work of the members of the Committee:
 
Sr Louise Hume OSC of the College Board;
Mrs Kim Morris of the Ex-Students Association and the Parents & Friends Association;
Mr David James of the Parents & Friends Association;
our two Year 12 students - Clementine Hartson and Amanda MacDonald; and
our two staff members – Mrs Martina Cooper Director of Religious Education and Mr Patrick McGing Deputy Principal.
 
In our society the word ‘mission’ has particular significance. It is used in many different contexts. It is used in regard to war, for we hear of armed forces personnel completing their mission; of aircraft laden with weapons taking off on their mission.

St Francis, of course, was no stranger to military conflict for as a young man he was taken prisoner and held captive for some months in a border war between Assisi and its rival Perugia. Nevertheless, St Clare and St Francis would never have considered using the word ‘mission’ in the context of war, conflict and violence.

In more recent times many, and very diverse, organisations have produced mission statements, setting out how they will provide their customers or clients with the best possible service. They proudly display the statements on their office walls and/or on their websites.

For the Christian community, however, the word ‘mission’ has an altogether unique meaning, for it is drawn from the Scriptures.

In the Old Testament, an essential element of the mission of the People of God was its awareness of being a special community and a light for others. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the community as being “a light for the nations” [Is. 49:6] carrying the message of Yahweh’s liberation, love and fidelity.

The community is always on mission; mission is dynamic and embraces all aspects of the community’s life. Mission involves the entire community; it is never the responsibility of a few people.

In the New Testament, Jesus says he is the one whom Yahweh sent to proclaim the Good News. Luke records this saying of Jesus: I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God, because that is what I was sent to do (Lk 4:43).

Jesus entrusted his mission to the new People of God who have carried on his mission for over 2000 years. In the 13th Century, Clare and Francis of Assisi began to share in that mission in a special way.

Clare and Francis appreciated the uniqueness of each person and inspired others, especially women, to look at themselves with a new vision, one of dignity, self-worth and self-respect.

Above all else mission is becoming the person we are meant to be. It is recognizing our own goodness and the gifts we have been given.

For our students, mission involves striving to fulfil the potential that is yours as young women to whom the future belongs.

For our teaching staff, mission involves striving to become the best possible teacher, educating the young women entrusted to you to achieve personal excellence in their lives.

Clare and Francis understood that community embraces everyone, for all people are sisters and brothers of one another. Mission is reaching out to others, especially to those who are disadvantaged and marginalized.

Mission is being an instrument of reconciliation, justice and peace. It is characterized by a spirit of warmth and hospitality as we foster life-giving relationships with each other.

Clare and Francis recognized the imprint of our Creator God in all of life. Mission is characterized by a reverence for all creation and the responsible stewardship of the environment.

An integral part of mission for both Clare and Francis was the responsibility, and joy, of teaching and sharing with others the message of the Gospel.

Founded by St Clare in 1212, the Poor Clares have shared in that Franciscan mission in a particular way through their ministry of Christian education.

The Poor Clares arrived in Waverley on 23 November 1883 and opened St Clare’s School on 14 January 1884. For the last 125 years the Poor Clare Sisters and their co-workers have been educating young people in the Franciscan tradition.

Today, in continuity with the past and openness to the future, we commit ourselves anew to the mission of St Clare’s College.

Our new Statement of Mission articulates how we can continue to live the mission at this time in the life of the College. Our mission will be measured by the authenticity of our lives in reflecting, as in a mirror, the Statement of Mission."

 
Dr Rodger Austin
Chairman