St Aloysius Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,

Last week we welcomed many students from the Class of 2023 and their families back to the College for our Dux and Merit Assembly. We started with a fabulous musical performance, a combined student and staff rock band singing the Mama Cass classic “Make your own kind of music”. It was a fitting way to send off our graduates on their individual paths. Dr Suzanne Mashtoub was our special guest and her address reminded us all of how much we have to learn from young people. She spoke of the experiences she valued most from her education at SAC and we were all deeply moved by her words. Isabelle Chen, Dux of 2023, responded with her own words of wisdom. Isabelle’s brothers, parents and grandparents were all in attendance. So many of the staff have had the joy of witnessing Isabelle’s educational journey from Reception to Year 12, and we are all so very proud of the inspirational young woman she has grown to be. Thanks to all the families who attended – your presence is what makes this event so special.

Another very special event in the calendar last week was the Senior Formal. The Hilton was a sea of colour, with the girls looking incredibly glamorous on the night. The dance floor was full from the moment we arrived and there was a genuine sense of fun throughout the evening. Thanks to the many staff who attended to support the students, and especially to Ms Dilger, Ms Tunney and Ms Williams for coordinating the evening.

The Primary Leadership Assembly was held in the gym on Tuesday and students were presented with their leadership badges. One of the hallmarks of an all-girls, Reception to 12 school is the way we develop leadership qualities in our students over the years. We were grateful that so many parents and grandparents were able to attend, and we look forward to seeing student voice shape many aspects of the life of the College through their leadership.

One leadership opportunity for our Year 6 students is the Support In Action (SIA) program. In these roles, students are excited to be a support for the new Reception students, a journey they will take for the whole year. The Year 6 students assist at whole school events, help with reading and other class activities and provide a friendly face in the yard. This peer mentoring is just one of the valuable leadership experiences that create significant benefits for both the younger and older students. We wish our SIA Sisters all the best for 2024.

The Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award students have started their program with a multi-day kayaking camp last week. The combination of personal skill development, community service and outdoor education experiences makes this program a very worthwhile endeavour, so it is not surprising that over 200 students choose to participate each year at SAC. From Bronze to Gold, the award encourages girls to keep striving to try new things and the participants will tell you that these are some of their most memorable moments in their school years.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
PRINCIPAL

From the Deputy Principal

(Pastoral Care)

Year 7 to Year 11 Students Representative Council (SRC)

At St Aloysius, we have a proud tradition of working to nurture student leadership across our school in a wide range of areas. One of those includes our Student Representative Council (SRC), which is a formal group of students, elected by their peers to represent them and their points of view. 

As an SRC, students facilitate leadership and decision making by bringing important issues to the notice of the school community, as well as organising whole school events and taking on additional responsibilities.

We congratulate our 2024 SRC members, a strong group of passionate and energetic young leaders, and look forward to seeing all of our leaders take on their new role in the Secondary school.

We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate every student who nominated themselves on their willingness to become involved in the leadership of our school community. We look forward to many of the nominees taking up other informal leadership opportunities this year including lunch time clubs, JAM, tour guides and other activities.

Congratulations to the following students: 

Ms Jacqui Mcilroy
(Deputy Principal Pastoral Care)

Welcoming our 2024 Student Leaders!

Click here to meet them all!

SAC Playgroup Delivers an Early Love of Learning

MERCY LIGHT: CONNECTING

If you pass by The Cloisters lawns on a Thursday morning, you’ll notice something new and different. The area is transformed into an indoor-outdoor sanctuary of play and learning, with colourful rugs, sensory stations and a range of activities set up, and Early Years teacher, Olivia Spadavecchia, eagerly awaiting the arrival of parents and caregivers with their young children. Olivia is passionate about the holistic development of young children and ways to facilitate this – most recently, by establishing the SAC Playgroup. Like all of the dedicated Early Years staff, Olivia brings enthusiasm and expertise to create a nurturing environment where learning and play seamlessly intertwine.

The Playgroup is open to children from infancy to school-age, and their parents, grandparents or caregivers. The Early Years teachers craft a warm and inviting atmosphere where every child is free to explore, play and learn, and participate in story-time, song and dance. These activities drive a sense of belonging, build community and interpersonal connections for children and adults alike, whilst promoting creativity and imagination.

The first SAC Playgroup session was held on Thursday February 8, with 29 families participating. Nadine, an Old Scholar of the College, has two young children, Alyssa (23 months) and Nate (4 years old), and says that they were hooked from the first session.

“I love the variety of engaging, educational activities. My children look forward to it every week. And I love meeting and socialising with other parents.”

Jessica, mother of Arlo (7 months), shares similar sentiments, and highlights the value of social interactions for adults, sharing that the “SAC Playgroup has a wonderful community feel. It provides the opportunity for children and their caregivers to meet and chat while the children participate in a range of activities suitable for various ages.”

“Arlo is yet to climb or walk so he loves to roll around on the mat to reach instruments, books and whatever else he is interested in. He enjoys sensory activities such as playdough and water play where he can feel different sensations. Arlo enjoys listening to stories read by Olivia and joining in the action songs with my help.”

The benefits of Playgroup participation are backed by a long, credible history. Catholic Education South Australia fittingly describes Playgroup as, “a time and place for children and families to play, be and belong,” and not-for-profit organisation, Playgroup Australia, states that, “for more than 50 years, playgroups have been a central element of the fabric of Australian society. When we bring together children and their caregivers to play and support each other, we build communities. Playgroups strengthen Australia by addressing the needs of all parents, caregivers and children.” (https://www.playgroupaustralia.org.au/about-us/our-history/)

Primary Coordinator, Abby Matte, says that, “we as a school community take great pride in welcoming the whole family through our doors, not just the students we educate. Our Playgroup allows us to establish connections with prospective, new and current families, and children who attend become familiar with our SAC environment and experience our Hospitality from their earliest years. Hospitality is one of our core values, and the SAC Playgroup is yet another extension of that, and it’s something that we hope to see grow in years to come.”

The SAC Playgroup is open from 9am-10:30am every Thursday within the Out of School Hours Care area in The Cloisters at the College. If you would like to register for Playgroup, or if you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Ms Maddie Kelly
Marketing & Communications Team

From the Religious Education Coordinator (Primary)

Primary school students celebrated Shrove Tuesday by enjoying some pancakes with their class on February 13. Traditionally during Lent, Christians would give up rich foods such as butter, eggs and sugar. Shrove Tuesday was the last chance to eat these foods – and what better way to do so than with a delicious pancake! Thank you to all families who donated pancake mix and toppings. A special thank you to the parent volunteers who helped to cook the pancakes during the morning. The Primary JAM Leaders loved being able to donate our extra toppings to the Adelaide Day Centre in Moore St.

The following day, students marked the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Liturgy on February 14. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. The marking of the ashes on our foreheads on this day is a public expression of our faith and humility. It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lent prepares us for the season of Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar. By praying, fasting and giving alms, we are reminded of Jesus’ death and resurrection. All Primary classes received a Caritas Australia Project Compassion box to assist with the collection of donations during Lent. Families are welcome to donate online through our fundraiser page. The theme of Project Compassion for 2024 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today impacts the lives of generations to come. Project Compassion boxes with monetary donations can be brought back to school after Easter along with the tab attached inside the box completed with the requested information. For further information about Project Compassion or if you would like to donate online, please visit the Caritas Australia website at: St Aloysius College, ADELAIDE - Caritas | Project Compassion Schools

Ms Isabella Deluca
Religious Education Coordinator (Primary)

Library Lovers’ Week

Library Lovers’ Week is a week where the importance of our school library, and other libraries in our lives, is celebrated. Our Catherine McAuley Library is a very special place. Our students know they will find recommendations and ideas for their next great read, help with research and locating great resources, games and friendship and fun. This year was extra special as the hunt was on for a catchy name for each of our three new library learning spaces. We had over 200 entries in the ‘Name Our Spaces’ competition, with the lucky winners naming our Junior Primary space ‘The Book Nook’, our primary space ‘The Greenery’, and our secondary space ‘The Reading Retreat’. Thank you to everyone who participated in our competition, and we’re looking forward to these spaces living up to their great names.

Ms Ali Ripberger
Teacher‑Librarian | Information Services Coordinator

From the Careers Department

Medicine and Dentistry Information Session

We are so thankful to old scholars Vanessa Pearce, Suzanne Mashtoub, and Alisha Nair who delivered an informative and inspiring information session to students regarding entry into medicine and dentistry. Ever powerful, their diverse stories highlighted the many ways in which students may pursue their passions, and the different pathways available to enhance learning and  development. Having completed their schooling at SAC, Vanessa, Suzanne, and Alisha were able to reflect on their journeys and offer insight to current students from Years 9-12. The buzz of questions during and after the session confirmed the wonderful level of engagement and we are truly grateful for their input.

For interested students, a zoom information session presented by Fraser’s UCAT is available on Tuesday 27^th February, followed by a presentation from the University of Adelaide and Flinders University on Friday 8^th March. These sessions will cover preparation for UCAT, and courses available for medicine, dentistry and oral health in South Australia.

Entry to Medicine/Dentistry 2025

Quick Facts:

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT ANZ) is an admissions test used by the UCAT ANZ Consortium of universities in Australia and New Zealand for their medical, dental, and clinical science degree programs.
The test helps universities to select applicants with the most appropriate abilities and professional behaviours required for new doctors and dentists to be successful in their clinical careers. It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as interviews and academic qualifications.
You are required to sit the UCAT ANZ 2024 test (between 1 July and 9 August 2024) if you are intending to apply for entry in 2025 to a relevant course or program listed below:

• Students are encouraged to browse  University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ) | UCAT ANZ Consortium to find out more
• Read theessential Preparation Resources | UCAT ANZ Consortiumhttps://www.ucat.edu.au/ucat-anz/practice-tests/practice-tips/ to become familiar with the test=
• Practice Tests | UCAT ANZ Consortium are to assist students in familiarising themselves with the type of questions they can expect to see in the test. Completing practice tests is a vital part of preparation for the UCAT

Work Experience 2024

At this time of the year all students in Year 10 are preparing to secure placements for work experience. Work Experience is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain an insight into the world of work and provides some unique possibilities for personal development.

We invite families and friends of SAC to contact Ms Julie Stephenson (Work Experience Coordinator) if you, or the organisation in which you work, can offer a placement to support one or more students. We are appreciative of workplaces that so generously host students as a gesture of goodwill while sharing their knowledge of a career area with a young person.

Year 10 students spend considerable time during Exploring Identities and Futures lessons to prepare for placement, including understanding of occupational health and safety and workplace requirements. As always, we look forward to visiting students out in the workforce in Term 2 where they so often thrive and shine.

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

As its name suggests this is an Internationally recognised award founded by the late Duke of Edinburgh. It offers young people the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and experience new challenges, whilst also providing them with the knowledge of safe guidance and support as they journey through their chosen activities.

The Award is divided into three levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold. Students usually start at Bronze level when they are 13 and six months old. Each level has the following elements associated with it:

• Physical Activity – any form of sport (most students use their school sport)
• Skill – for example, reading, photography, coaching, knitting, carpentry, cooking, (when old enough; learning to drive)
• Community Service – Volunteering their time to help others.
• Adventurous Journy – 2 camps at each level (Bronze 1 night/2days, Silver 2 nights/3 days and Gole 3 nights/4days). All necessary equipment for these camps are provided by the school.
• Residential Project (Gold Level) – This is an extra element for Gold Level only. Students either work in an Edmond Rice camp or travel with staff to Tiwi Island where they work with the local community for one week.

On completion of Bronze and Silver levels the Awardees receive certificates and associated badges as well as 10 SACE credits for each level. For Gold level the Awardees are invited to a ceremony at Government House with their families to receive the certificate and Gold badge along with 20 SACE credits.

Tuesday 13 February 3 students where selected to address 750 international students who are staying in Adelaide for several weeks. Our 3 students where asked to talk to the visitors to encourage them to take up the Dukes Award  and continue with it when the return to their respective countries.

The 3 SAC students where, Charlotte Bigot (a French international student studying here at SAC and who is participating in the Dukes Award), Mariya Zaghwan, currently on her Silver level and Adi Hardy currently on her Gold award. All three talked about their experiences in, and enthusiasm for Dukes.

Annual Report from Dukes HQ Year Ending 2023

Below is an overview of the completion rates of Dukes participants Nationally compared with the completion rate within South Australia and in particular with SAC.

It is abundantly clear that SAC is by far out pacing both the National and the SA completion rates in both Silver and Gold levels. A clear indication of just how popular and successful the Dukes Program is here at SAC.

Our goal for 2024 is to work even harder to encourage more of our students to continue with their Dukes award beyond Bronze Level and hopefully attain greater numbers than that of the National figure.

Mr Alan BrownAlan Brown and Libby Butterworth
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Coordinators

From OSHC

At OSHC the students can enjoy a wide range of outdoor play areas. The playground is the most popular with students who love to challenge themselves with equipment such as the monkey bars and climbing walls. It is amazing to see students of all age groups come together and enjoy such an incredible outdoor play area. Students are also given the option of playing just outside the OSHC Centre on the cloister grass area. Students enjoy using some gymnastics mats, skipping ropes, cones, balls and much more equipment on offer at OSHC. Educators also organize group games to be played such as all-over red rover and four corners. Picnic rugs have been put out for the students who wish to just relax with friends or play board games outside. Some days at OSHC we like to utilize the gym and its equipment. Especially on rainy or extremely hot days, the gym is perfect for the students to still be active while keeping cool and dry. Many students enjoy the basketball hoops and using the equipment available to facilitate imaginary play. Many students also take advantage of the two large courts to kick a football around with their peers. Lastly, during snack the students enjoy using the courtyard and handball courts. Handballs are a very popular piece of equipment at OSHC and encourage students of all age groups to play with one another. For students who want to explore their creativity, chalk is also used for drawing on the courtyard pavement for the whole school to enjoy.

Ruby Zada-Boatwright (OSHC Educator)

MTOP OUTCOMES:

1.2 Children develop their autonomy, inter-dependence, resilience, and sense of agency.
3.2 Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing.
4.1 Children develop dispositions such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity.

The Community Street Art project at The Village is coming together!

Students with an artistic flair have been excited to work on a collaborative art project to offer a vibrant welcome to our temporary Redden Centre learning space, The Village. The artwork captures the spirit of diversity and inclusion that we are proud of at SAC, and it has been a joy to see the project come together over the last couple of weeks. Stay tuned for images of the finished project! 

Student Achievement

Let's keep moving!

JOIN SAMIR Madi'S 50K WALK IN SUPPORT OF Myeloma Australia

Samir Madi (school parent and valued member of the Advisory Council) is heading towards 50 years of age. He has decided it's the perfect time for a physical challenge and a great opportunity to support a wonderful charity.

Introducing the "50km Walk for Myeloma Australia" – a day that promises to be both challenging and fun, all while making a significant impact by raising funds for Myeloma Australia.

Myeloma Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to support, educate, inform, empower and bring hope to people who are living with myeloma, and their loved ones.

Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a type of bone marrow cancer arising from plasma cells. Currently there is no cure for myeloma, but with treatment it can be controlled for many years.

There are 2 options for everyone to join the event:

PLEASE NOTE:

• It is FREE to register at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1128284.
• Any donations would also be much appreciated at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/samir-madi-walk50km

On behalf of Samir Madi, thanks to everyone and let's keep moving!

@walk50km on Instagram and FB

The Sky is the Limit for Sara and her mum!

A big hooray to Year 12 student Sara, who is jumping out of a plane to raise funds for Type 1 diabetes.
Click here to help Sara and her mum (Tania) fill the skies with HOPE on Sunday 17 March for the 422 million T1D sufferers worldwide!

Remembering Neville/Mr Stapleton

Tuesday 13 February would have been the 83rd birthday of our dearly loved SAC staff member, Neville Stapleton, who died two years ago. At this link, you will find a podcast where Neville's wife, Phil, reads some of his poetry. We hope many Old Scholars would like to listen and remember Neville/Mr Stapleton. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-1/id1730452806?i=1000645018442

THE ST ALOYSIUS COLLEGE UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS ARE:

School Terms
Tuesday 8:15am – 11:30am
Wednesday 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Thursday 8:15am – 11:30am

School Holiday opening times are advertised in the SAC Newsletter prior to the end of each term.

• Uniforms can also be purchased from our Online Shop.
• Click here to view detailed information re the SAC School Uniform.

For further information, please click here.

A wide range of secondhand uniforms are now available instore, get in quick, they will disappear fast.

Afterschool Pick Up Reminder

• Please note that yard duty teachers are available at the school gates from 2:30-2:45pm (Mondays) and 3:15-3:35pm (Tuesdays-Fridays)
• All Primary students who are waiting outside the school on Angas St, Chancery Lane and Wakefield Street, should be collected by 2:45pm (Monday) and 3:35pm (Tue-Fri)
• Primary students should always remain nearby the yard duty teacher and should not walk back in and out of school as the duty teacher needs to see you at all times
• Students not collected by these times will be taken to the Front Office (unless they are accompanied by a Year 7 to 12 sibling) and parents and/or an emergency contact will be called to promptly collect the student
• If students have not been collected by 4:30pm, and have an existing OSHC enrolment form, they will be taken to OSHC and families will be charged for the session. Students without a current OSHC enrolment form will be asked to wait with a member of the College Leadership Team. 
• After school library use is for students in Year 7 to Year 12 only, and not available for Primary students, unless accompanied by a parent or caregiver.