Our Catholic Identity

Catholic Identity is the cornerstone of the evangelising mission within all Catholic education communities. It is manifested in various aspects: in the structures and processes of the school, the curriculum and learning environment, the formation and development of staff to teach, support, and lead, as well as in strategic planning, community culture, student wellbeing, and the active involvement of parents, parish, and the wider community.

At Our Lady of the Assumption School​​, we hold our Catholic identity in high regard. We aim to integrate this identity in everything we do, including how we teach, support, plan, and engage with our students, staff, parents, parish, and the broader community.

A Catholic school’s identity and culture is rooted in its Catholic​ character, specifically its charism. In the Church’s tradition, charism refers to spiritual gifts meant for the service of the entire community. A key influence on the charism of any Catholic school is the person of Jesus Christ.

Our Lady of the Assumption School is deeply inspired by the values and history of our founding religious congregation, the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. Founded in 1857 by Archbishop Polding, an English Benedictine monk and the first Bishop of Australia, the Good Samaritan Sisters are an Australian congregation. The Benedictine tradition, which emphasises a balance between prayer, work, and leisure, plays a central role in their life and mission.

The story of the Good Samaritan parable, along with the influence of the Benedictine spirit, serves as a source of guidance for our school community.


Our Patroness

Our Lady of the Assumption

After her life on earth ended, Mary was reunited with her Son, Jesus​​. As the mother of God, she had always been kept holy through a unique gift from God. It was therefore fitting that she, who gave birth to Jesus in the flesh, should be with Him bodily in heaven, where she adores Him in the glory of His risen body.

As early as the 5th century, the Eastern Church celebrated the feast of Mary's 'Dormition'—her 'falling asleep' in the Lord—on August 15. This long-standing tradition of belief and devotion was formally confirmed when Pope Pius XII defined the doctrine of the Assumption on November 1, 1950.

Like all the graces and privileges given to Mary through the merits of Christ's redeeming love, the Assumption does not set her apart from the rest of the redeemed people of God, but rather unites her more closely with each of us. In the Assumption, Mary has not been removed from us; instead, she remains a sign of hope, assuring us that we, too, are called to share in the fullness of Christ’s glory as she has.​


School Prayer

​​

Mary our Mother,

help us on our journey.

Our Lady of the Assumption School is named

in your honour, so please,

Watch over us and guide us

as you did the child Jesus.

 

We pray that our school be blessed

with peace and justice for all,

so that we may be people

who bring Christ to the world

through the way we act and believe.

We ask you this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord,

Amen​