Acknowledgement of Country
From the Principal - Issue #11, 2025
Principal
Dear Parents/Carers,
For this final newsletter for Term 2, I want to share a speech from one of our Year 11 students who reached the Rostrum Voice of Youth State Final this term. Mariya presented the speech below at Parliament House on Saturday 21 June. She was one of four finalists from across the state, and her powerful words made a huge impact on everyone present. I would like to acknowledge staff members Lucy Combe and Elena Koulianos, who supported Mariya in developing her public speaking skills this year. The topic Mariya chose is The writing is on the wall, and she spoke with confidence and passion. Congratulations Mariya!
Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal
The Writing is on the Wall
Ejak el door ya doctor. It’s your turn, Doctor. Four words Spray painted onto a school wall in Daraa, Syria. Four words that would ignite a revolution. The writer? A 14-year-old boy named Mouawiya Syasneh. His target? Bashar al-Assad, the country’s president and once, a doctor.
It was March 2011. The Arab Spring was spreading like wildfire. Across Egypt, Tunisia, Libya ordinary people were rising up against extraordinary repression. Over 60 million people across the Arab world joined protests demanding democracy, dignity, and an end to decades of authoritarian rule. In Tunisia, protests toppled a government that had ruled for over 20 years. In Egypt, millions filled Tahrir Square in one of the largest demonstrations in history.
But in Syria, that cry began with a sentence on a wall. Instead of listening, the regime retaliated with brutal force. Mouawiya and his classmates were arrested by Syria’s secret police, the Mukhabarat.
They were just children. Yet for 45 days, they were detained, interrogated, and tortured.
Not for wielding weapons. Not for inciting war. But for wielding words.
A lot can happen in 45 days. You can heal a broken bone. Learn to play a song. Fall in love.
But these children didn’t come out healed. They came out broken, shattered, and changed. They were no longer children, no that was taken from them. They became symbols of how dangerous, and how powerful, truth can be when written on a wall.
Traditionally, the phrase “writing on the wall” means a warning of something inevitable.
But under oppression, writing on the wall becomes something far more dangerous.
Not a warning, a weapon. A non-violent one, but no less powerful.
Twelve years later, over half a million Syrians have been killed in the conflict, and more than 13 million, that's more than half the country’s population, have been displaced. The United Nations calls it the worst humanitarian crisis of our time. After this incident, Assad remains in power, but the graffiti remains till today. Not physically, most has been scrubbed away or bombed into dust. But graffiti doesn’t need to survive on walls to survive in memory. Because once truth is seen, it can’t be unseen. And once shared? Who knows where it might go. Globally, nonviolent resistance through graffiti and street art has been a vital tool for oppressed peoples, from South Africa under apartheid, to Chile’s protests in 2019, to Hong Kong’s democracy movement. But expressing dissent visually comes with enormous risk as in many countries, writers face imprisonment, torture, or worse.
Let’s be honest: many of us, me included, once believed resistance had to be loud.
Protests. Megaphones. Crowds. Even public speeches like this. And yes, sometimes it is but in places where dissent is met with bullets, silence becomes strategy. Resistance becomes quiet. A word. A phrase. A message scratched into concrete when no one’s watching.
In The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood imagined a dystopian future where women are forbidden from reading or writing.
And yet, etched into the hidden corner of a wardrobe was one phrase. Don’t let the bastards grind you down. That message spread, fictionally and in real life, just like Mouawiya’s did. Because when you silence a voice, you amplify its echo. When you try to erase resistance, you turn it into mythology. And I’ve seen this firsthand.
In Libya, my home country, graffiti bloomed across Tripoli during the 2011 revolution, whether it was crude drawings of the dictator or a single word, حرية freedom. And that writing too, risked death. But still, people wrote. Because when everything else is censored, a wall becomes the last canvas left for truth.
What Mouawiya spray-painted wasn’t just political, it was poetic! Four words were able to crack open decades of silence. Four words revealed the regime’s weakness, that a sentence could scare them more than a sword ever has or will. In that way, writing on the wall is resistance in its purest form.
A rebellion not of arms, but of ideas.
A fight not for destruction, but for dignity.
Because in places where speech is punished, writing isn’t just on the wall. It is the wall. The last space left to speak. And the first place truth is seen.
But I know what it’s like to be quieted. To be overlooked. To wonder if my voice matters. And I know I’m not the only one. Because we all have our own walls. Some made of bricks. Others made of fear, doubt, or pain. But no matter their shape, each of us eventually faces the same question. Do I stay silent, or do I write? Because writing, any form of it, is an act of power. An act of presence. A refusal to disappear.
That’s what Mouawiya taught us.
That’s what Offred discovered.
That’s what the people of my country showed me.
That truth, once expressed, becomes contagious.
So, I’ll leave you with this. If you had one wall. One message. One chance to speak a truth the world might remember, what would you write? And most importantly, would you dare to let it be read? Would you? Because someone, somewhere, will read it. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll write back.
Mariya
Year 11 Student
Left to right: Year 11 student, Mariya, pictured with her family and Ms Elena Koulianos at the Rostrum Voice of Youth State Final on Saturday 21st of June; Mariya with fellow student Alice at the Evatt Model UN Competition last year.
Exciting Uniform Announcement
After student, parent and staff consultations, we are excited to announce that our new transeasonal uniform is coming in 2026! Stay tuned for the full reveal and more information from Ms McEvoy and Ms Mcilroy in Term 3! Until then, here’s a sneak preview 👀
From the Primary Sport Coordinator
Primary Sport Coordinator
Primary Sport Highlights
The Year 5/6 Knockout Soccer team travelled to Aberfoyle Park on Friday 27th June to compete in Round 1 of the statewide schools soccer competition. They played games against Theile Primary School, North Haven Primary and Westport Primary. They won one game and lost two but from all accounts had a great day of fun and learning. Great work girls!
Year 5/6 Knockout Basketball Team Warm Up SACPSSA Carnival
Congratulations to the Year 5/6 Knockout Basketball Team who competed in the Section 1 SACPSSA (Catholic Schools) Carnival on Friday 13th June.
This carnival gave them a chance to start to gel as a team in the lead up to their Round 1 knockout competition that will take place in Term 3.
They played in four minor round games, winning three convincingly while losing the fourth by only two points in a very close battle. This put the team into the bronze medal play off where they were victorious to top off a great basketball day filled with fun and development.
Well done team!
SPORTING SPOTLIGHT!
Congratulations to Teya from 6SD who participated in the SAPSASA netball competition held at Netball SA in Week 8. Over 60 girls trialled to be selected for one of two East Adelaide district teams so to make one of the teams was a great achievement in itself. After three days of tough competition, Teya’s team ended up finishing 3rd overall. Well done!
Speaking the Language of Mercy Across Cultures
Mercy Light: Connecting
The benefits of studying an additional language are well-researched, suggesting the practice improves everything from our interpersonal skills to cognitive processing and memory. The Languages program at SAC offers far more than knowledge of vocabulary and grammar; it is immersive and engaging, bringing culture into the classroom. Whether they’re learning French, Chinese, Indonesian or Italian, students enjoy exploring different parts of the world, and learning more about themselves along the way.
Georgina N, together with Julia D, is a Year 12 Languages Leader, and shares how a spark lit during Year 8 French class ignited a lasting passion for the subject.
“In Year 10, I picked up Italian as well, and it felt like a natural extension. By Year 11, studying both French and Italian had given me a deep passion for languages, and over the years I have begun to learn other languages in my own time,” Georgia explains.
Georgina particularly appreciates the opportunities she’s had to explore different cultures from so close to home; a particularly fond memory is one she holds from Languages Day, when she was able to employ her love for both French and Italian during a session focused on something the cultures share a mutual affinity for: cheese.
“The session was explained in both French and Italian, with the respective language teachers present, and I was able to understand both languages throughout. I found it so fulfilling and eye-opening to be able to use two languages at once, after all the learning I had done. It gave me a great sense of enthusiasm, and affirmed that I wanted to be able to study both languages – one at SAC, and the other externally – and that they would help me in my future,” says Georgina, who was accepted into the Flinders University Extension Studies program to study French as a university subject this year.
Georgina fervently believes that the Mercy values lie at the heart of SAC’s Languages program, “…especially Courage, Respect and Compassion! I believe these values are crucial to learning a language, as there is a necessity for courage and resilience in one’s own learning process, as well as compassion for others when they are studying a language. Respect is also a key factor as it is imperative to respect other cultures when learning their language,” Georgina says.
Hospitality is also key to the program’s success. At the end of Term 2, Eva, Lena and Yvonne, all from France, joined the Year 11 cohort for a one-month period of exchange. They will be immersed in the home and school lives of SAC students, who have already developed a strong bond with their ‘sisters’ from across the seas.
Eva, Lena and Yvonne have already seen how cultural immersion is a powerful roadmap for self-discovery.
“I have learned so much about myself already,” shares Lena, “I’ve learned that I can take the bus in another country. I can travel on an airplane by myself. I can really take care of myself.”
Eliza adds, “I came here excited to learn the differences and similarities between school in Australia and in France; one thing I have found different so far is the relationship with teachers. In France, we’re very formal. Here at SAC feels more connected. It is really nice.”
Ms Prior with SAC students Alice, Jessica, Sienna and French visitors Léna, Elise, and Eva, celebrating cultural connections and growing friendships
SAC students, too, have enjoyed the experience of learning abroad for over two decades, as part of the Languages program’s exchange and study tour opportunities. Year 11 student, Alice K, who will travel to France for her own experience of exchange later in the year, loves learning from Eva, Lena and Yvonne. “It’s amazing to learn what it is like being a young person growing up in France; it really opens your eyes up to the fact that although we are very different, there is so much that’s similar for young people.”
Alice also says that the role of passionate teachers can’t be overstated. “Our teachers love language and culture, and that makes me want to immerse myself too.”
Ms Anne-Marie Prior, a French teacher who herself lived and studied in France, explains: “Our approach to language learning reflects our commitment to the whole student. You’ll see Mercy values in every interaction — in the classroom, during exchanges and study tours, and in the way we support one another.”
Students speak passionately about how their language learning will benefit them in the future. “It’s a life skill,” says Jessica S, Year 11. “Even if you don’t pursue it professionally, the ability to learn a language – and struggle through it – is something you carry with you.”
Alice agrees. “It improves your English and your communication. And it gives you this perspective: your world isn’t the only one, and it’s definitely not the main one. Learning another language puts your own life in context.”
Sienna D, another Year 11 student, reflects on the unique environment language classes foster. “The classes tend to be smaller, so you build closer relationships with classmates and teachers. It feels quite personal.”
At SAC, language learning is more than an academic pursuit. It is a pilgrimage of discovery, transformation and connection. Whether students are ordering cheese in two different languages, or travelling across the world for exchange, or simply learning to see how the cultures of the world influence Australia’s, the Languages program helps them to become global citizens, and nurtures their growth as thoughtful, courageous women of Mercy.
Ms Maddie Kelly
Marketing & Communications Team
Year 12 Languages Leaders
Julia and Georgina
From the Drama Department
Drama Coordinator
A Bold and Unforgettable Theatrical Journey – 1984
Our SAC Drama students were treated to powerful and thought-provoking theatrical experience—George Orwell’s 1984 is back on stage in a gripping new adaptation by Shake & Stir Theatre Co. Set in a future where surveillance is constant, truth is manipulated, and independent thought is dangerous, 1984 explored themes that feel increasingly relevant in today’s world. Originally written in 1948, Orwell’s dystopian vision continues to resonate more than 75 years later.
This bold production brought the tension of the novel to life with dramatic staging, large video screens, and a chilling atmosphere that blured the line between fiction and reality.
Mr Tom Coultas
Drama Coordinator
Students Commented:
"The play was absolutely amazing, really well performed and the blocking was visually stunning!" Bethany, Year 10
"The 1984 play was really entertaining and I think it opened up a new chapter of my life into being an entertainer when I grow up and doing theatre." Adva, Year 10
"The acting was really amazing - the way they expressed everything really made you feel scared or unsettled , everything in the production worked well together." Nicola, Year 10
"I thought 1984 was really interesting to see the different dynamics and possibilities of live theatre." Kate, Year 10
"I think the background music in 1984 was really good, intense and dramatic - the lighting was very vivid it was a really good show." Suraiya, Year 10
"The set design was actually incredible, and the lighting really helped with the overall effect. The large-scale projections were really unsettling helped set the mood and era of the play." Zoe, Year 10
"In the play 1984, I really enjoyed the stage design, the diverse lighting and the overall creativity in the play." Savannah, Year 10
YOLO Inspires - Students Dive into Language and Culture at Chinese Film Festival
On 27 June, Year 7 to 9 students who study Chinese took part in a Chinese Film Festival and watched the popular movie YOLO (热辣滚烫). The film follows a young woman’s inspiring journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Watching this movie gave students a chance to hear authentic language while enjoying a powerful story. Many students were excited to recognise familiar words and phrases. The film also introduced them to modern Chinese culture and social themes. Overall, it was an engaging and meaningful experience that supported both language learning and cultural understanding.
Chinese Teachers
From the Primary Coordinator
Primary Coordinator
Creating Comfortable, Collaborative Spaces Together: A Sneak Peek into Our Sample Station!
Over the last few weeks, we have been excited to introduce a unique opportunity for students and staff to get involved in shaping their future learning spaces. Our SAC ‘Sample Station’ was in full swing, providing a hands-on area where everyone could explore, test, and experience the look, feel, and comfort of the furniture options being considered for the new learning environments in our Dunlevie building.
This is more than just a preview. It's a chance for the whole school community to be actively involved in the consultative process. We want each chair sat in, each desk tried, and each soft seating area tested because our students’ comfort and feedback truly matters. Each voice helps shape the kind of spaces that will support learning, collaboration and creativity for years to come.
A big thank you to everyone who took the time to engage with our furniture samples. We were excited to see students interacting with the pieces, offering feedback, sharing ideas, and helping us imagine how these designs will come to life in 2026!
Ms Abby Matte
Primary Coordinator
From the Careers Department
Careers & VET Coordinator
University Open Days 2025
As the academic year progresses, prospective students are preparing for University Open Days. These events offer a unique opportunity to explore campuses, engage with faculty staff, attend presentations and workshops, and gain insights into a wide range of programs.
Tips for Attending Open Days
- Plan Ahead: Review the event schedules and plan your visit to multiple campuses if possible.
- Prepare Questions: Think about your academic interests and career goals to ask relevant questions.
- Engage with Current Students: Gain insights into student life and experiences.
- Explore Facilities: Take campus tours to familiarise yourself with the environment.
Adelaide University
City East Campus
27 July 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Start your journey at Bonython Hall.
This is Adelaide University’s biggest Open Day event, where you’ll find information on all their degrees and campuses.
Adelaide City East | Open Day | Adelaide University
Adelaide City West
27 July 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Start your journey at Fenn Place.
Head to City West if you want to explore your study options in creativity, visit the creative studios and on-campus museums, or Australasia’s most advanced health simulation suite.
Adelaide City West | Open Day | Adelaide University
Magill Open Day
13 August 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM
A Building, Magill campus
Explore the lush parklands and industry standard facilities at Magill Campus and discover where degrees in Teaching & Education, Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Psychology and Social Work, and Creative, Media & Communication can take you.
Magill | Open Day | Adelaide University
Mawson Lakes Open Day
17 August 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Mawson Lakes campus
Located in Adelaide's northern suburbs, Mawson Lakes campus is a hub for STEM and education degrees. Explore world-class teaching and research facilities including virtual learning environments and robotics laboratories. Meet future teachers, chat to current students, attend program presentations and career panel discussions, get 1:1 application and pathways support, and get to know your future campus.
Mawson Lakes | Open Day | Adelaide University
Flinders University Open Days 2025: Explore Your Future
Flinders University invites prospective students to its Open Days in 2025, offering a unique opportunity to experience university life firsthand. Whether you're interested in health, engineering, arts, or business, Flinders provides a comprehensive glimpse into its diverse programs and vibrant campus community.
Flinders Open Days 2025 - Flinders University
Bedford Park Campus
25 & 26 July 9.30am – 3.30pm
Visit Bedford Park to discover what makes Flinders a fun, inclusive, exciting place to study. Get hands-on with incredible activities and explore areas such as Business, Creative Arts, Education, Engineering, Health, Psychology and more!
City Campus
27 July 9.30am – 3.30pm
Visit Flinders City Campus so you can experience what it's like to study at Flinders. Get involved with information sessions, tours and activities to learn more about areas such as Business, Law, Health Sciences, Creative Arts and Engineering.
Tonsley Campus
9 August 10.00am – 1.00pm
Flinders Tonsley Open Day is a Tech-stravaganza! Robot-welders and robot dogs, serious games and biomechanics, plus your chance to tour the on-campus labs.
TAFE SA
To help you make the right study choices for the career you want, TAFE SA holds free course information sessions. Information sessions are generally held around the application period.
Attending an information session allows you to meet with the teaching staff, learn more about a course and where it can lead you, discuss study options, find out about the application process and ask course-related questions. Many information sessions are held on location, so it’s also a great chance to check out TAFE SA’s outstanding training facilities. Online sessions are also available for your convenience.
Adelaide College of the Arts Open Day
Sunday 27 July 2025
10.00am – 1.30pm
39 Light Square Adelaide
Open Day is your opportunity to visit Australia’s only tertiary institution housing the study of performing arts, visual arts and design.
Attend an information session to find the right course for you, chat to expert lecturers about your study options and explore purpose-built facilities specialising in arts and design training.
ICHM Discovery Day
Click here to access the ICHM Discovery Day Flyer 2025.
Ms Julie Stephenson
Careers & VET Coordinator
We CAN, and we DID!🥫💜
We CAN, and we DID! A huge thank you to our incredible SAC community for your donations of canned food in support of St Janet Mead’s Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless Persons.
On Week 9, our students blended compassion and creativity, building amazing sculptures from the cans to link in with the 2025 Book Week theme – ‘Book Your Adventure’! We didn't have to travel very far to take an amazing journey – these sculptures, constructed from thousands of cans you generously gave, showcase our students' imaginations, and most importantly, their empathy.
One can of food, one story, and one act of kindness can make a world of difference. Enjoy some snaps from this wonderful day!
We were also thrilled to welcome back old scholar Clare Peterson for this year’s SAC Can Drive. Her heartfelt message reminded us that small actions truly matter, that showing up, doing the work, and collecting even one can can make a real difference. As Clare shared: "The first thing is showing up, doing the work, collecting the cans. The second thing is how you do it – your attitude, where your heart is. If we can spend more of our days thinking of others, the way we live our lives has the potential to be transformed. First the heart, then the hands follow. Well done SAC!"
Blankets of Love - Calling All Crafty Hands!
The Blankets of Love team have been working hard over the last semester, knitting and crocheting lots of lovely 20cm squares. We are now in need of volunteers with the “know how” to join these squares together to form beautiful blankets for donation to St Janet’s Adelaide Day Centre, to keep the homeless warm this winter. We are planning a visit early next term. If you have the skills and would like to contribute, please contact:
Mrs Wendy-Anne Heuzenroeder WHeuzenroeder@sac.sa.edu.au
Meanwhile, here are some fabulous photos of our progress!
Exploring the Past, Experiencing the Present
Following their studies on World War One, Year 9 history classes had the opportunity to visit the Army Museum at the Keswick Barracks. Student were shown through by volunteer guides and gained a real insight into the life of the armed forces during the 2 world wars and Vietnam. The hands on experience allowed students to look at equipment, rations and to try on helmets and rucksacks thus providing the perfect closure to a very interesting unit of work.
From the OSHC Director
OSHC Director
Another fantastic term is done, and we cannot wait to share the upcoming School Holidays learning and laughing our way through play
Vacation Care Bookings Reminder
A quick reminder that Vacation Care bookings were due Friday 27th June. We only have limited spots available, so if you still require care, please complete the booking form (available on our website) and email it to oshc@sac.sa.edu.au as soon as possible to secure your child’s place.
Naming Clothing & Shoes
Our lost property basket is overflowing with unnamed items, making it difficult for us to return belongings to the correct owners. To help us reunite items with their owners more efficiently, please ensure all clothing—including jumpers, hats, and especially shoes!- are clearly labelled with your child’s name or initials.
We Value Your Feedback
We’re always looking for ways to improve! Our Parent Feedback Board currently displays our OSHC Service Philosophy, and we would love for you to take a moment to share your thoughts. Feel free to add any suggestions, feedback, or ideas, your input helps us grow and strive for excellence.
Thank you for your continued support!
Ms Tegan Neville and The OSHC Team
Hip Hip Hooray for 100 Days!
Our Reception students have officially reached 100 days of school! From learning so many new things to making new friends, there’s been so much to celebrate. We’re so proud of how much our Reception students have grown in just 100 days.
Our little learners started the day with fun classroom activities, counting 100 objects, making sparkly crowns, and creating colourful “100”-themed art. Then, our amazing Year 12 students hosted a celebration just for Reception students, complete with karaoke, dancing, games, and dress-ups. It was the perfect way to mark this milestone in their learning journey, and their first semester of school, with laughter and joy shared between SAC's youngest and oldest students.
Today also marks the last day of Term 2 for the whole school, and we wish all our students, staff, and families a safe, restful, and joyful holiday break.
Here’s to many more days of learning, exploring, and having fun together in 2025 - SAC's 145th year!
Pilgrims of Hope - Walking Together
