From the Principal – Issue #13

Acknowledgement of Country

National Homelessness Week, August 4 to 10, was a time to reflect on the challenges faced by so many in our community and remind ourselves of the actions we can take to support people experiencing homelessness. SAC is very active in this space, with our support of Sr Janet Mead’s Adelaide Day Centre and Vinnies through fundraising, Blankets of Love and the Can Drive, as well as student volunteers who help out at the Centre during the week. Year 12 students are currently collecting items for women seeking support through Catherine House.

Last Friday, some Year 12 students and members of the Justice and Mercy group attended the Annual Memorial in Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square) to remember those who have lost their lives while experiencing homelessness. The statistics shared were confronting. Each of these people had their own story and their death will be felt by all those who knew and loved them. As I looked around at our students, I was hopeful that their awareness and empathy might contribute to a better world and a future where we eliminate homelessness.

Year level assemblies were held across the school in the last fortnight to present Academic and Mercy Awards from Years 7 to 12. Whilst we acknowledge that every student’s individual goals are unique, it is important that we celebrate students who consistently achieve excellence, whether in their studies or in living out the Mercy values or both. I especially enjoy seeing the sense of appreciation students have for the achievements of their peers, with a genuine pride in everyone doing their best. That school culture of lifting one another up, aspiring to be our best and delighting in the success of others is definitely one of the great gifts of a Mercy education.

At the whole school assembly on Tuesday, we celebrated the breadth and depth of talents on display in these first few weeks of Term 3 at SAC – from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to a range of sports finals, from Mock Trials to Debating, from Da Vinci Decathlon to Duke of Edinburgh Awards, students represent the College with energy and confidence. It was special to be hosting friends from Timor Leste, Liborio, Etel and Lucia, who are visiting from JDN—the Youth for National Development organisation in Dili.

Our connection with JDN is a very special one. For over 10 years, SAC has welcomed young leaders from Timor-Leste into our school community. Each visit is a chance for us to learn from one another, to share our cultures, and to strengthen our friendship across the Timor Sea. We are always inspired by the actions these young people lead in their own communities, and it is an opportunity to share ideas about how to be effective changemakers in society.  

It is great to see the new Dunlevie building coming together before our very eyes. This term we will be “topping out” – reaching the fourth floor, with all its magnificent views. It is hard to believe that in 12 months’ time our youngest students will be learning in this beautiful space. We can’t wait to make it feel like home for them.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal

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