17 staff from Tenison Woods Catholic Primary School at Richmond embarked on a two day retreat to the historical town of Penola in the recent school break. Walking in the footsteps of Saint Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods, the staff immersed themselves in the story of these two remarkable people. The pilgrimage took the group to Woods Sculpture Park, Tenison Woods Tree, the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre, St Joseph’s Church and The Stable School Park.
The impact Mary MacKillop and Julian Tension Woods had on Catholic Education in South Australia is extraordinary; with Penola being the inspiration and birthplace for Catholic Education in South Australia and the Josephite order. Marcia Burgess, Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission, commented on the inspiration of the journey,
“Penola is an exceptionally special place and walking on the same soil as Australia’s first saint is an experience which truly nurtures the soul and deepens one’s faith. As a Josephite school, the retreat gave staff an opportunity to understand, reflect on and be inspired by the charism of Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods in a deep and personal way”, she said.
Staff expressed their thanks to Sr Sue McGuiness, Claire Larkin, Margaret Muller and the team of volunteer cooks from the interpretive centre who made the retreat experience positively memorable.
In All Things Love.
To learn more about Tenison Woods School please visit their website
Twenty students from Catholic schools in South Australia have been named among the winners in two major state-wide Humanities competitions.
Earlier this year, senior school students from across South Australia were invited to enter the 2024 Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize and the Muriel Matters Awards.
