Prayer and Liturgy

As a Catholic community, prayer and liturgy is very important to the life of Notre Dame College. It is in our understanding of our relationship with God that we come to understand ourselves and who we are. Prayer is an important part of our daily school life as it reminds us that our day is devoted to God and it is through God's grace alone that we continue to strive to be a unique, whole and holy person.

During the year there are a number of significant and special occasions where we come together as a whole College community to celebrate. These events include the College Mass, our Easter Paraliturgy and the Feast of the Assumption.

In our Religious Education classes students have the opportunity to engage in a more personalised prayer experience. Classes regularly start with a prayer and students are engaged in creating and guiding the prayer in class. Additionally, due to our close relationship with the parish of St Brendan's, students attend a morning Mass with the parish community once a fortnight. This connection to the parish reminds us that we are a part of a wider social community and a global Catholic Church.

Social Justice and Reconciliation

Social Justice at Notre Dame College is based on our Marist and Mercy traditions where every young person is valued equally and given the opportunity to express their faith in God through service and involvement in social justice activities. Events like Mission Mart, Caritas Ks, Winter Sleep Out, Soup Van and Community Kitchen help us put into actions the values and beliefs of our founders. Through this active participation students and staff are united in living out this essential part of our Catholic Faith.

The example of Catherine McAuley and Marcellin Champagnat guide the College to contribute in a kind and compassionate way to the needs of our world. With the help of organisations like Caritas Australia and St Vincent de Paul the College donates much in the way of money, time and service to both our local and international communities.

Reconciliation and the education of Indigenous Students is a very important part of the Catholic Education experience at Notre Dame College. We have a significant focus on the celebration of Indigenous culture and a very active group of staff and students who are commissioned Fire Carriers. The annual Reconciliation Assembly is an example of the way we celebrate the local Indigenous people and their spirituality and stories within the life of our College. This is also supported by student programmes and fundraising based on the Open the Doors Foundation. The College employs an Indigenous Education Support Worker for one on one assistance to our Indigenous students.

Retreats and Reflection

Throughout a student's time at Notre Dame College they have an opportunity to be engaged in various reflection days and retreats. These reflection days and retreats are designed to be an opportunity for students to deepen their personal relationship with God. The retreat and reflection days are focused on students spending time critically thinking about their own spirituality.

The two major retreats that are run at Notre Dame College are the Year 10 retreat day and the Year 12 retreat. The Year 10 retreat day focuses on students and their understanding of who they are and what they want to achieve in their final two and a half years of school. The Year 12 retreat is the longest retreat run for students at Notre Dame. The retreat runs over three days and in that time students are guided through;

• The beginning of their story
• Communication and triggers
• Who am I?
• Meditation
• Family
• Letter writing
• God
• The Relationship Tree
• Affirmations

By the end of three days of retreat the goal is that a student will know four things better; themselves, their peers, their relationship with family and friends and their relationship with God.