REMAR
Remar is a Spanish word that means “to row”, and as such, the Remar program utilises nautical themes to provide focal points for the students. It is also a play on words, taken from our spiritual renewal programs at Marist. Remar is a youth ministry program operating in many Catholic schools in Australia. It targets students in Years 10, 11 and 12.
Remar has a fourfold focus:
- faith development
- personal development and leadership formation
- community
- social justice, ministry and service to others
There are three Crossings that make up the Remar movement:
- Year 10 – Red Caravel
- Year 11 – Blue Caravel
- Year 12 – Gold Caravel
A caravel is the local group of the Remar movement made up of rowers and a
helmsperson. At Marist Regional College we have three caravels:
- Year 10 –
- Year 11 – The Allsorts
- Year 12 – Shooting Stars
Students involved at the school level are called “rowers” and the adult who
guides them through the journey is known as the “helmsperson”.
Our Remar students attend a number of local and national camps throughout the
year. Fortnightly Caravel meetings are held throughout the year. Rowers are
active participants in community and outreach ministry.
Missions
Our Student Representative Council members and Remar students, in conjunction with the College Community, work very hard throughout the College year to raise money for the missions.
Term 1
Our mission focus is the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. In 2011 we raised $1650.00. This money allowed us to buy a cow for the people in Uganda and provide a loan for 10 survivors of violence to create a community farm in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Term 2
Our mission focus is Mercy Works. In 2011 we supported the work of Sr Tricia
McDermott RSM, who lives and works in the Corn Hill/Tres de Mayo. Currently,
Sr Tricia is working in Lima, Peru, where she is leading the construction of
a women’s house, children’s house and a medical clinic.
We also support TIKAPERU which is a not-for-profit organization helping to
provide the women working at the Casa de las Murjeres with a market for their
knitted products. We support this organisation by ordering College scarves.
Term 3
Our mission focus is the Samaritan Purse – Operation Christmas Child. Every
year generous people across the world lovingly pack shoe boxes with gifts to
send a child in Papua New Guinea a gift for Christmas. When a child opens a
shoe box, they’re opening more than a present lovingly prepared just for them.
They’re opening up their community to a world of life-changing opportunities.
The kindness of our staff and students enables us to raise the funds that we
do. We are fortunate that our SRC body and Remar students are so enthusiastic
and motivated in ensuring our targets are achieved.
Renewals and Retreats
Our Year 7 renewal is integrated into the Year 7 camp which is held in week
3 or 4 of Term 1. The theme for Year 7 Renewal is “Being Marist – my place
within our College”. The principles of the Making Jesus Real program are
also explored through the sessions.
Commencing in 2012, Year 8, 9 and 10 will have their renewal experience integrated
into their Religious Education classes. The Director of Mission will visit
their RE class once a month to journey through the year-level renewal theme
for the year. Class Liturgies and Forgiveness Services will also be integrated
into these visits. The renewal themes are:
- Year 8 – Recognising and Valuing Diversity
- Year 9 – Keep Bouncing
- Year 10 – Social Justice
The Year 11 Renewal is held off campus in Term 2. The theme for this year
level is “Appreciating the gift of a teenage life”. Guest speaker/s are
organised for this day. This is a compulsory day for all Year 11 students.
The Year 12 Retreat is held at a camp venue over two days in late Term 2. The
theme for this year level is “Motivation”. This retreat enables our Year 12
students to reflect on their time at MRC and appreciate their transition from
child to young adult journey. The retreat is compulsory for all Year 12 students.
Renewals and Retreats allow our students allow our students to:
- take a pause from the "business" of everyday life
- have an opportunity to strengthen friendships
- take time for quiet prayer and reflection in a peaceful atmosphere
- a
fun ‘time-out’ for recreation, games, songs, learning and play