The Catholic Leader - 22 April

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The Catholic Leader, April 22, 2018
Education + religion
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Reaping rewards from
fine academic results
OUTSTANDING academic results have helped
a former student from St Benedict’s College,
Mango Hill, Bethany Conroy gain a QUT
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship and a place at
the National Youth Science Forum 2018 Inter-
national Program in London.
In the short time since leaving the college,
the foundation student and 2017 graduate was
one of 120 students who were successful in
securing a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship,
valued at $30,000, after obtaining outstanding
academic results in Year 12.
Bethany, enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineer-
ing (Honours) at the Queensland University
of Technology (QUT), will join 500 of the
world’s leading young scientists from more
than 75 participating countries after she
received an invitation to attend the London
International Youth Science Forum.
The two-week residential program, held at
Imperial College, London, includes lectures
and demonstrations from leading scientists,
and visits to industrial sites, research centres,
scientific institutions and organisations.
Bethany said she was honoured to receive a
scholarship to study Engineering with honours
at QUT’s Gardens Point Campus.
“I feel very privileged to be part of this elite
group of QUT students who not only receive
financial support but exclusive opportunities
for networking, support, camps, exchanges and
career development,” she said.
She said she also was extremely grateful to
the staff of St Benedict’s College, her parents
and her peers who always supported her aca-
demic endeavours.
“Being in the first graduating class from St
Benedict’s College in 2017 provided wonderful
opportunities to work closely as part of a small
group of Year 12 students and access support
and mentoring from exceptional staff – espe-
cially my Maths, English and Science teachers
who generously supported me with their time,
expertise and professional guidance,” Bethany
said. “These teachers and school leaders, includ-
ing deputy principal Candi Dempster, encour-
aged and supported me in applying for many
scholarships.”
Mrs Dempster said the college community
was proud of Bethany’s outstanding achieve-
ments.
Proud achievement: St Benedict’s deputy
principal Candi Dempster joined former
student Bethany Conroy at the Vice-Chancel-
lor’s presentation at QUT.
I feel very
privileged
to be part of this
elite group of QUT
students who not
only receive financial
support but exclusive
opportunities for
networking, support,
camps, exchanges
and career
development.
Jewish history revealed
STUDENTS at a number of Bris-
bane Catholic Education schools
learned about the rituals, festivals,
celebrations and traditions of Juda-
ism during a visit by representatives
from the Sydney Jewish Museum.
The museum documents the history of the
Jewish people in Australia and during the Holo-
caust.
Dr Ari Lander, from the museum, visited
several schools, including St Joseph’s School,
Kangaroo Point, where he spoke to Year 4 and 6
students about the different Jewish cultures that
existed in Palestine at the time of Jesus.
In an interesting show-and-tell, Dr Lander
talked about important Jewish festivals, some
which were still observed today, such as Passover.
He explored the parallels that existed between
early Christian and other Jewish texts and
explained the origins of the Tallit, (prayer shawl)
and Tefillin (black leather boxes and straps worn
during morning services).
Dr Lander said the students at each of the
schools he visited were eager to learn.
“They asked fantastic questions, listened
intently and responded with an eager excitement
to learn more about Jewish culture history and
religion,” he said.
Dr Lander said the school visits gave the
students an opportunity to meet someone with
the authenticity of the Jewish faith and that was
important.
“They see someone who is just like them, but
they have their own faith and culture,” he said.
Teacher Jayne Solomon said the presentation
matched perfectly with what the students were
learning in their religion classes.
“The children absolutely loved hearing what
(Dr Lander) had to say,” she said.
“His presentation allowed for the students to
ask questions and to really engage in the content.
“There was so much in there for them that will
only assist them in their unit of work.”
Year 6 student Romy Peled said she found the
show-and-tell very informative.
“He (Dr Lander) was really clear in what he
was saying and answered all our questions,” she
said.
The museum’s outgoing education manager
Yotam Weiner said it was special for him to
see the relationship grow between BCE and the
museum.
“As I said on many occasions – this type of
inter-cultural dialogue is world-changing,” he
said. “And it’s been an honour to be a small part
of that.”
Jewish
presence:
Dr Ari
Lander,
from the
Sydney
Jewish
Museum,
with stu-
dents at St
Joseph’s
School,
Kangaroo
Point.