From the Principal – Issue #19, 2025

Acknowledgement of Country

This has been a fortnight full of special moments right across the school, from our final farewell to the Year 12 Class of 2025 to our first welcome to the new students joining us in 2026. It is important that we recognise moments of transition and celebrate the gifts that every student and their family bring to the College, and this fortnight has included many such moments.

The Year 12 Graduation was held at Adelaide Oval this week, a venue that was able to cater for the size of our group in a convenient, central location. It was a joy to see the students celebrating their friendships and achievements, knowing that their connection to SAC will remain strong through the Old Scholars Association. I’m pleased to report that the DJ remembered to play Dancing Queen (the highlight of every Graduation Dinner for me!). The genuine respect and strong relationships between students, staff and families was clearly evident and is central to creating an environment where every student thrives. We now await the SACE results distribution mid-December, and we know that each of these young people will make the world a little less cold and more just with their Mercy spirit.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 on your Graduation Dinner!

This same spirit was alive and well at the Primary Christmas Assembly, hosted by the Year 2 and Year 4 students. With our very own pageant consisting of floats created by the Year 2 students, combined with a range of Christmas music brought together by the Music team, the assembly was a riot of joyous colour and energy. Thanks to the many families who made space on a busy Monday morning to attend. This was just a taster for all the fun that’s around the corner at SAC Spectacular next week.

Primary Christmas Assembly – A beautiful celebration of joy

Mercy hospitality & New beginnings

The last fortnight has also seen us welcome almost 150 new students to orientation sessions at the College in preparation for the 2026 school year. At any age, Mercy hospitality is key to making new students quickly feel a sense of belonging at SAC. The breadth of locations that enrolling students come from is indicative of our enrolment diversity and it is always heartwarming to see how quickly young people form friendships. We hope that these sessions have provided reassurance and planted seeds of excitement for the learning opportunities that await them in 2026 and beyond.

The Arch D Podcasting Awards were held at Sacred Heart College on Sunday, and SAC was well represented by Digital Technologies Coordinator, Mr Lochlann Dwyer, and students from Years 9 and 10 who participated in podcasting initiatives during the year. Special congratulations to Lucy Gill, who was names Senior Podcaster of the Year across the system, and to Myf Hardy who as Podcasting Captain has continued to nurture a passion for podcasting at SAC.

Shining at the Arch D Podcasting Awards

Outstanding Leadership Recognised Across Year 10 and 11

Three awards were presented recently to outstanding leaders in Year 11. Liliana and Yenuli were presented with the Shining Lamp Award (from Mercy Education) and the Student Citizenship Award (from the Order of Australia Association) at the final Year 11 liturgy in the Chapel. These two outstanding leaders will be our College Captains for 2026, so it was no surprise that their leadership has been recognised beyond the school. In addition, Mariya was recognised with the Muriel Matters Award for her commitment to justice and advocacy initiatives throughout the course of her education. Year 10 students Lucy and Angelique were also recognised for their leadership through the ADF Leadership and Teamwork and Future Innovator Awards respectively. The College in good hands with such strong student leadership in 2026.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at SAC Spectacular next week.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal

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