Hello,

My name is Tayhlia Shaw and I attend Seton College. Seton College is a school that supports those with special needs extensively. Seton will be closing within the next 5 years and I'm hoping by making this petition it could reach out to somebody who can make the school stay open.

The Seton College community was formed in God's name by the Daughters of Charity of St Elizabeth Ann Seton in 1964. Mother Seton was the first native-born American to be canonised (1975) by the Catholic Church. Founding the Sisters of Charity in 1809, she was dedicated to service in the charism of St Vincent de Paul. Her commitment to the care and education of children saw her establish the first free Catholic school in the United States, the beginning of a legacy which has seen hundreds of thousands of children worldwide educated in her name by the Sisters and Daughters of Charity.

The Seton College Houses are chosen in honour of Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Father Denis Power and Father Samuel Cooper - individuals who have been instrumental in the formation and values of Seton. House symbols are chosen from Gospel evangelists. 

Power house is named after Father Dennis Power whose determination, energy, inspiration and work ethic turned his dream - to provide a private education for students wanting to follow a practical career - into a reality. Together with the Daughters of Charity, he established Seton College in 1964, building some of the classrooms with the help of parents on weekends. He was the College's first Manual Arts teacher. The symbol of Power house is the Bull of St Luke, it signifies strength and determination.

Bayley was the maiden name of Elizabeth Seton, the inspirational patron of our College. She was the mother, a teacher and a tireless supporter of the poor. Elizabeth Seton can be credited with setting up the first free Catholic school and orphanage in the United States of America. Their symbol is the Eagle of St John. It signifies aiming and soaring high.

Cooper house is named after Father Samuel Cooper, a wealthy seminarian who saw the need for children to receive free education. He donated most of his personal wealth to establish the United States' first parochial school in Emmitsburg, Pennsylvania, and enabling Elizabeth Seton to form the nation's first order of Catholic nuns, the Sister of Charity, in 1809. The symbol of Cooper is the Lion of St Mark. It signifies swiftness and momentum.

Seton College is the most welcoming, helping, accepting and the best school I’ve ever been to. Education is taught in many different fun ways to help students not only enjoy their classes but take in more from what they are learning about. 

The staff at Seton are very friendly and are always there to help. They make the students feel safe, happy and are amazing at their jobs (you guys are the best!!). Without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today. 

My time at Seton College has been the best I could have ever imagined. They’ve put a lot of time into making sure that Indigenous culture is recognised through out the school, this can be seen at the Indigenous garden. I love this garden because I feel at peace when I am there and I feel accepted at Seton and so do many others. 

This school supports its students so well and I am so thankful for all of the support and help I have been given over the years. 

It has taught me resilience, understanding my emotions, understanding people, how to keep happy friendships, what to do in certain situations and most importantly it has taught me to treat others kindly and with respect. 

Seton has very good morals and at the school we all respect each other. Over my time being there I’ve tried to help those who I see need some assistance or could do with a friend, this has made me want to go to tafe to do a course in education support and hopefully one day assist children at schools and help them get the best out of their education. 

This is why I believe Seton College should stay open. Thank you for reading and I hope you will help me out.

 

Tayhlia Shaw

tshaw3@mybce.catholic.edu.au