Parish News
On Friday, October 23, 2026, staff at St Mary’s Primary School Swan Hill came together for a valuable Professional Development Day focused on strengthening our Catholic Identity and enriching faith experiences across our school community.
An important part of the day involved exploring how we can make classroom prayer more meaningful, engaging and relevant for our students. Through the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) framework, staff reflected on ways to connect everyday experiences with Scripture, Catholic teachings and the life of Jesus. We explored a fresh approach to classroom prayer that encourages students to wonder, question, reflect and actively participate in their faith learning.
Staff also deepened their understanding of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical that calls us to care for our common home. We reflected on the importance of caring for God’s creation and explored how Catholic Social Teaching encourages us to take responsibility for the environment and one another.
The day provided a wonderful opportunity for staff to share ideas, deepen their understanding and reflect on how we can continue to nurture the spiritual growth of our students. We look forward to putting this learning into practice and continuing to strengthen our Catholic identity at St Mary’s.
Belinda Davies – Religious Education Leader
