Community Mass Sunday 22nd February. Our Community gathered in Prayer.
The 2009 Community Mass was the first Lumen Community gathering of our 25th year. This proved to be a prayerful and spirit filled occasion, attended by many students and accompanying family members. Fr Arulraj, our interim Chaplain for Term 1, enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate with and meet such a cross section of the community. Those who stayed around for the sausage sizzle enjoyed the sense of collegiality as people mingled and chatted in the evening sun.
Twin Cities Tour: April 15th - 24th 2009. The memories will last a life time.
Thirteen students and three staff took part in the “Twin Cities Tour”, spending ten days exploring Sydney and Canberra. In both cities the itinerary was full and varied, providing the group with a wonderful array of experiences.
Visiting the National War Memorial and Museum in the lead up to Anzac Day was a moving and truly enlightening experience. Here we discovered stories of many brave individuals who, during the past 100 years or so, fought for our right to live in freedom and enjoy the benefits of democracy. Some of the disturbing images and touching encounters will remain with us for many years to come.
At each of the Parliament Houses, students took part in role plays which offered a birds eye view into the workings of our political system. The learning from here, and many other places visited in both Canberra and Sydney, is being shared in classrooms during the coming weeks. A particular focus for RE classes will be the visit to the MacKillop Centre. This certainly helped us appreciate the remarkable life this feisty nun; one of our House patrons, did in fact lead.
Open Day Reminiscence Tour - Friday 15th May
Lumenites from across the generations mingled easily with current staff, sharing memories of their time at Lumen. Amazed at how the school and its facilities have grown, visitors enjoyed being shown around and in the process be reminded of people and events from their past.
Looking through old photos also helped bring back memories, sparking excited conversation, joy and laughter in the process. Comperes for the evening, Mr Cartoni and College Ambassador Richard Ferguson, proved a formidable pair. Richard offered an interesting and entertaining perspective on life as a Lumen student today. Former students Amy Boughton (also a current member of staff) and Bradley Holland also treated us to their own reflections of Lumen.
Preceding these, and the formal toast to the College, Principal Geoff Mills formerly launched the 25th Anniversary publication. Each current family and staff member also received a copy as a birthday gift. Copies are available for purchase via the College Office, $25 each, plus $7 if posted. In pictures and personal recollections, the book traces the 25 year history of our College.
Lumen Day - June 19th, 2009.
June 17th is the date on which the College was officially opened in 1984. Annually Lumen Day marks our birthday on the Friday closest to this date. The day begins with a liturgical celebration in which we give thanks to God for the many blessings received by our College Community. Our guest of honour at the Mass this year was Archbishop Hickey. We were delighted that he could join us and also felt very privileged that one of our local MP’s, Alannah MacTiernan, was also present. Other visitors included representatives from our Partner Primary Schools and Parishes. It was also lovely that a number of parents came along on the day.
As is part of the tradition, Homeroom groups organised a range of food and activities stalls to feed and engage the College Community. The blustery weather failed to dampen spirits, and a fun time was had by all. The Principal’s Cup netball match between staff and Year 12 students was keenly contested and proved a worthy lead up to the Talent Quest which drew the day to a close. As usual there was an amazing array of talent on show, with over $7,000 being raised. The Saint Vincent De Paul's Winter Appeal will be the main beneficiaries. Well done to all.
Celebration Dinner - June 27th.
My goodness: what a transformation! With the colour, the lights and the heaters it was difficult to believe we were actually sitting in the Sports Centre. Impressed by the ambience that had been created, guests chatted happily and enjoyed looking at old photos. The quality and amount of food on offer along with the standard of our ‘home grown’ entertainment also amazed people. Thank you so much to John and Amanda for the catering and also to our MC's, DJ and our entertainers.
Not only was there a lovely mix of both current and former students and staff, a number of special guests were also able to join us on the night. These included Foundation Principal, Mick Devine, Former Principal, Wayne Bull and of course our current Principal, Geoff Mills. A number of local dignitaries with a long standing interest and association with the College were also able to join us. We were delighted to have the presence of The Honourable Helen Morton, WA Senator Judith Adams, Tony Simpson, MLA for Darling Ranges, Counsellor Olwen Searle, Mayor of Gosnells, along with local Clergy and Primary Principals.
Music Concert July 1st
The 25th Anniversary Music Concert was a fitting event to bring the Semester 1 anniversary events to a close. What a brilliant evening this proved to be. This musical performance evening showcasing current students in collaboration with former Lumen staff and students was truly awe inspiring. The variety of instrument, style and tempo of the music ensured there was something to suit all tastes.
In the first half of the show we were serenaded by ensembles, solo pieces on the saxophone (Kyarra Swetman), the cello (Kristina Binks) and the piano (Marie Rubzen) and the Chorale. The flute ensemble were joined by three former staff members: Claire Gamlin, Penelope Kimble and Natalie Dixon. We were delighted to see them back at Lumen and on stage in our wonderful theatre. One of the three items performed by the Chorale, “I will sing with the spirit,” was written by John Rutter, an English composer. With text taken from Corinthians, this song made an impression on Archbishop Hickey when sung during the offertory for our Lumen Day Mass. During the interval three former students, Lewis Walsh, Ben Craig-Wadham and Mitch McDonald provided live music in the foyer. There were even more treats in store for the second half of the show.
There was fervent applause, and great reverence from the audience, as three of Perth’s premier jazz artists took to the stage. With world renowned jazz musician and composer, Troy Roberts (former Lumen student) playing tenor sax, Glyn MacDonald (former music tutor at Lumen) on piano, and Tim Woolley (ongoing music tutor at Lumen) on drums, there was a plethora of wonderful music emanating from the theatre. Excitement and anticipation then reached a climax amongst the swing band, who were privileged to be accompanied by Troy Roberts for their musical show pieces.
Our final guest artist was also a world class act. Former staff member Lisa Harper Brown enthralled the audience with her amusing reminiscences of the early years of Lumen's existence, and with her amazing singing. For the final performance of the night, our Senior Concert band was joined by former students Jessica Old, Kristin Stephenson and Marcia D'Souza plus Claire Gamlin and Kay Dewar. This wonderful programme was held together by MC's Giovanni Cartoni and his able assistant Richard Ferguson. A fantastic evening all round. Well done to all those on stage and behind the scenes.
