From the Principal – Issue #3, 2023
From the Principal
Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,
The annual Dux Assembly is always a wonderful celebration for the whole community, as our most recent graduates and their families return to celebrate their achievements. Last week, we had much to celebrate, including the 27 Merits awarded to Stage 2 students at SAC last year and the 33 recipients of Principal’s Commendations for achievement of an ATAR over 90. For this particular cohort, it was also a source of great pride that so many of them chose to return to SAC after their assessments were complete and help the Adelaide Day Centre packing hampers for families in need at Christmas. Clearly, they are taking much more with them beyond SAC than their academic achievements.
Our special guest at the assembly was Carmen Basilicata, a graduate of the Class of 2000. Since leaving school, Carmen’s love of learning has seen her complete a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Justice and Society, a Bachelor of Laws, a Diploma of Legal Practice, a Diploma of Languages, an Accreditation in Mediation and a Certificate IV in Government (Project Management). Carmen is now the Executive Director of Market Performance and Engagement for the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) – the National Regulator for vocational education and training. Carmen spoke with wisdom and insight about how Mercy values had shaped her life beyond school, and how they can be the touchstones for graduates as they navigate some of the twists and turns of life beyond school. We are so grateful to Carmen for flying over for the assembly and sharing a little of her story with our current students. Read more about the assembly in this newsletter’s feature piece.
Two of our senior students, Daniela (11LN) and Fransine (12NO), have been selected to participate in this year’s South Australian Student Representative Council (SA SRC). An initiative of the office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People, this body of over 160 senior students from schools across the state will enable members to create genuine, student-led change within their communities. We are so proud to have Daniela and Fransine representing the voices of SAC students in this forum.
Our youngest leaders were presented with their badges at a Leadership Assembly on Tuesday morning. At SAC, we believe that leadership confidence and capabilities are developed over time, and the experience of leadership roles in the early years is an important part of that growth. Students provide a listening ear and a voice for others, and learn to collaborate in activities that are fun and purposeful. We congratulate our Primary student leaders for Semester 1. After the presentation of badges, we were able to celebrate with pancakes for Shrove Tuesday, lovingly prepared by some of our primary parents. We thank all those who made time to come and help make this such a happy event.
This week we marked the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent with Ash Wednesday liturgies in every class. We heard that the ashes on our forehead encourage us to share compassion with others and remind us of the needs of those who struggle. In our liturgies, we considered ways in which we can act to best serve them. I am so proud of the myriad ways in which SAC students seek to help others, often with little or no public recognition, and I am grateful for the everyday acts of kindness that take place in our school. As we enter this Easter season, may we all challenge ourselves to live and act with love and hope for the world.
Ms Paddy McEvoy
PRINCIPAL
