Acknowledgement of Country
From the Principal - Issue #1, 2025
Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,
Welcome to the 2025 school year, with a special welcome to all the families who are new to St Aloysius College. We hope that you feel the warm embrace of Mercy hospitality in these first weeks of term. In the words of Catherine McAuley, “a good beginning is of great importance” and we look forward to a good beginning for 2025.
The liturgical theme for Mercy Education and SAC for 2025 is Pilgrims of Hope, Walking Together, which is Pope Francis’ theme for the jubilee year. Whilst the concept of hope is one that we hear spoken of frequently, the idea of pilgrimage is less commonly spoken of today. Most definitions identify a pilgrim as someone searching for meaning or truth. Hope is an essential ingredient of education, and young people need to believe that there is a future where good things will happen. Through our masses, liturgies and Religious Education classes throughout the year, we will explore this theme together.
The Class of 2024 gave us cause for celebration with their outstanding results in the SACE. In this newsletter, you will read about their achievements in the summary provided by Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning), Jacqui Jury. As they pursue their own pathways beyond school, we know their presence will make a difference in the world.
Welcoming new staff
We are pleased to welcome:
- Lochlann Dwyer – Digital Technologies Coordinator
- Joleen Hall – Digital Technologies Teacher
- Xiaomeng Ding – Chinese Teacher
- Alessia Chiarolli – HASS and English Teacher
- Alexandria Kirkham – Science and Mathematics Teacher
- Mackenzie Saunders – Mathematics and French Teacher
- Elena Koulianos – English and Drama Teacher
- Christina Broadbent (Learning Support Team)
- Grace Sim (PE Assistant)
- Isabella Crotty (AFL Trainee)
- Grace Campbell (JAM Student Support Officer)
Capital Works
You will notice the incredible progress that has been made in preparing for our new primary school during the school holidays. I am grateful to Steve Andrews, the Maintenance Team and the building professionals we engaged for overseeing this critical step in the development program. There will be some disruption and adjustments required for staff, students and families in the next 18 months, but we will all work together in anticipation of the amazing learning spaces that are being created in the new Dunlevie Building. We rely on the strength of our relationships with families and excellent communication to support a smooth and efficient building program.
Newsletter
We ask that you take the time each fortnight to read this newsletter. The photos and stories in these pages capture beautifully the vibrant and diverse learning community here at St Aloysius College. As you search for a photo of your daughter, granddaughter, niece or family friend, I know that you will appreciate the opportunities that are available to our students. It is no wonder that each year we see students and graduates flourish in learning and in life.
Wishing students and families all the very best for 2025!
Ms Paddy McEvoy
PRINCIPAL
From the Deputy Principal
(Pastoral Care)
Deputy Principal
(Pastoral Care)
School Photo Day
Our school Photo Day is just around the corner! This is a wonderful opportunity to capture and preserve the special moments of your child's academic journey. The details for the photo day are as follows:
- Date: Week 2, Friday, 7 February
- Time: Photos will commence at 8:55 AM
- Location: McAuley Auditorium and Auditorium 2
- Uniform: Full summer uniform
We kindly ask for your cooperation in ensuring that your child is well-prepared and dressed in their correct school uniform for the photos. Wearing the school uniform with pride fosters a sense of belonging and unity among our students. If you have any concerns or challenges regarding the uniform, please do not hesitate to contact your Home Class Teacher or Year Level Coordinator.
Please CLICK HERE to access the uniform policy, which is also displayed in each classroom. The policy can also be found in the student diary.
We look forward to seeing all the bright smiles on photo day.
MOBILE PHONE POLICY
A reminder that there has been a change to our current Mobile Phone Policy for Year 10 students for 2025.
Reception-Year 10 students are not permitted to use mobile phones, laptops or other communication devices at recess or lunchtime.
This will mean that students in the Primary school and students in Year 7, Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10, who bring their mobile phones to school will be required to switch off their mobile phones when they enter the school grounds and store them away for the duration of the school day.
Your ongoing support is vital for the successful implementation of this policy change. If you need to contact your child during school hours, please call the Front Office on 8217 3200, and we will promptly relay your message. Students found using their mobile phones during the school day will be required to store them in the Year Level Coordinator’s office until the end of the day.
Student Attendance
At St Aloysius College, we are committed to fostering a collaborative environment to monitor, communicate, and support student attendance and engagement within our community. Recognising the strong link between attendance and achievement, we take our responsibility to maintain excellent attendance very seriously.
Therefore, we expect full-time attendance from our students and will actively monitor and support those who are frequently late or absent. Students are deemed to be at risk by the Department for Education if their attendance is below 90%.
Please CLICK HERE to access our Attendance policy including the Absentee process and exemptions for family holidays or ongoing medical absences.
Ms Jacqui Mcilroy
Deputy Principal
(Pastoral Care)
From the Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning)
Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning)
WELCOME TO 2025
Welcome to the start of a new school year, especially to new students, families and staff who are joining our community. A new year is an exciting time, whether you are starting Reception, the next year level or Year 12. My hope for every student is that they achieve their personal best and embrace the learning and opportunities that will enable them to flourish this year.
2024 Academic Results
The class of 2024 achieved outstanding results. Congratulations to our College Dux, Poshika who achieved an ATAR of 99.2
Our students received 69 A+ grades with 17 Merits awarded across 8 subjects, including: Ancient Studies, Drama, Essential English, English, Information Processing & Publishing, Psychology, Research Project and Visual Arts – Design.
Highlights from the class of 2024 include:
- 100% SACE Completion
- 30% of students achieved an ATAR over 90, placing them in the top 10% of all Australian students.
- 58% of students achieved an ATAR over 80, placing them in the top 20% of all Australian students.
- Over 75% of our Year 12 students achieved an ATAR over 70, placing them in the top 30% of all Australian students.
- 52% of all subject grades were A grades
- 88% of all subject grades were A or B grades
- 98% of all students who applied for university received a First-Round offer.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 and all their teachers!
School Diary
The student diary is an important tool for communication between school and home, as well as a place to record homework and due dates for assignments. Experience tells us that good use of the diary enables students to develop excellent organisation and time management skills. Teachers will check the diary regularly and we ask you to check and sign the diary at least once a week.
Homework
Homework is an essential part of the study program at St Aloysius College, helping to develop learning patterns, reinforce class learning, develop study skills and provide opportunities for revision, reading and completion of ongoing assignments. Students are expected to complete homework set by their teachers. Teachers are also very conscious of the many demands on students, recognising that homework should not deny students the opportunity to spend time with their family, friends or engage in other interests. Students should be able to develop the ability to incorporate homework into their lives in a balanced way. Communication with the subject teacher from parents or caregivers is needed if students have been unable to complete homework.
Work Completion
Teachers understand that difficulties completing tasks can arise. In these circumstances, early communication of difficulties is strongly encouraged. If an assignment cannot be completed by the due date for a valid reason, then an extension should be requested. Students in Year 11 or 12 who are absent on the day of a test or exam due to illness may require a medical certificate. In situations where students are experiencing significant challenges with schoolwork, or if students are likely to be absent for more than a few days, students and/or parents should contact their daughter’s Home Class teachers and/or subject teachers as soon as possible.
Work Completion Guidelines
Additional information regarding meeting deadlines, time management, plagiarism and eligibility for special provisions can be found in our Work Completion Guidelines.
Generative AI Policy
We recognise the significant impact of AI on various aspects of society and acknowledge the ways AI can support teaching and enhance teaching and learning, as well as the challenges it presents, such as for students’ learning, academic integrity, privacy and safety. Please take the time to read our policy, which includes guidelines for responsible use of AI and outcomes in situations where AI is used unethically.
If you have any questions about the curriculum at any time, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College.
Ms Jacqui Jury
Deputy Principal (Teaching & Learning)
From the Deputy Principal
(Administration)
Deputy Principal (Administration)
As we commence the 2025 school year, I would like to extend a warm welcome back to all of our returning students and families. A very special welcome also to our new students and families beginning at St Aloysius College.
We are lucky enough to celebrate and provide opportunities for our students across the year, and it is worthwhile to take some time to scroll through some of the dates highlighted in the calendar so that you can plan ahead for some key events.
For a summary of major school events and to lock away important dates in your diaries, please click here to access our school calendar.
Reception to Year 7 Meet the Home Class Teachers - Thursday 30 January (6-7:3pm)
6:00pm – 6:30pm
Parents/Caregivers of Year 3 students are invited to a Laptop Information session about our one-to-one laptop program. The session will include details about how the Surface Pro devices will be used in the education program, cyber safety, safe use and protection of the device and data and coverage for accidental loss or damage. This session will be held in the McAuley Auditorium.
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Parents/Caregivers of Reception to Year 7 students are invited to a Meet the Teacher session to hear their child’s Home Class teachers present an overview of the aims and highlights of the year and communication strategies.
The venue for Reception to Year 6 is your daughter’s Home Class, and the venue for Year 7 is the McAuley Auditorium.
7:30pm
Parents/Caregivers are invited to share a drink with each other and SAC staff - drinks will be provided in The Jordan Courtyard.
Year 12 Parent Information Evening - Monday 3 February (6:30pm)
6:30pm
Meet the Teachers - Wine and Cheese (Jordan Courtyard)
7:00pm
Parent Information Session - Strategies to guide your daughter successfully through Year 12.
Parents/Caregivers of Year 12 students are invited to a wine and cheese evening to meet your child’s Home Class and Subject teachers. Following this, various staff will present important information regarding approaching the final year of schooling with your daughter.
Traffic Management and Carparking around the Campus
‘Back to School’ time always means greater amounts of traffic on the roads and especially at the start of the school year, we should anticipate more motorists around schools and those searching for car parks.
In partnership with Adelaide City Council, parking permits are available from our front office. The permits allow parents/caregivers to park around the perimeter of the school (in ‘No Parking’ zones) for a maximum of 10 minutes during school drop off and pick up times.
It is crucial that our school community adhere to the road rules at all times, including reducing speed around the College when children are present and adhering to laws both as drivers and as pedestrians. All students are expected to use the pedestrian crossings on Wakefield and Angas Streets when crossing those roads and we appreciate the adults in our community modelling these safe behaviours.
SEQTA
St Aloysius College uses SEQTA as a learning management system to enable greater collaboration between school and home. The SEQTA platform consists of three integrated portals:
- SEQTA Teach for teaching staff
- SEQTA Learn for students
- SEQTA Engage for parents and caregivers
The Engage portal allows parents and caregivers a snapshot into the lessons taught for the day, homework set, upcoming assessments, feedback and rubrics on marked assessment tasks, and formal academic reports.
If you are new to the College this year, or a current parent/caregiver yet to set up your SEQTA login, you should have already received a ‘Welcome to SEQTA’ email. Please follow the prompts in the email to set up your account.
Click here for further information, including the SEQTA app details along with login and user guides.
Consent2Go
If you are new to the College this year, or a current parent/caregiver yet to set up your Consent2Go account, you should have received a ‘Student Profile Update Invitation’ email. This email will be sent from: St Aloysius College - [MCBSchools] [email protected] so please ensure you look out for this in your inbox. Please follow the prompts in the email to set up your account.
For new families there are two crucial ‘permissions’ that we will seek immediately through Consent2Go. The first is Consent for Excursions in the Adelaide CBD, and the second is Consent for Aquatic Activities – details for both events are provided in the Consent2Go email invitation.
As it is crucial that our student and parent/caregiver contact information is up to date, parents/caregivers who have not updated their contact details in the past 12 months will also receive a ‘Student Profile Update’ inviting you to confirm your details are correct.
Click here for further information, including an introduction to Consent2Go, the Consent2Go App and FAQs.
SAC on Social Media
Canteen
Click here to view the SAC Canteen Menu for 2025.
For further information about online ordering for the Canteen please visit our website Canteen - St Aloysius College
I hope that 2025 is a successful year for all of our students and their families and I look forward to meeting you all at the various events throughout the year.
Mr Nick Tattoli
Deputy Principal (Administration)
From the Primary Coordinator
Primary Coordinator
I understand that the wait for students new to start St Aloysius College in 2025 has been both anxious and exciting. It never ceases to amaze me how warmly our students welcome the newest members of our community. Nervous faces quickly turn into expressions of joy as they begin their first day alongside groups of girls who have eagerly awaited the opportunity to showcase SAC's hospitality.
We look forward to the journey we will share this year and in the years to come, and we wish all SAC families and students the very best for the upcoming year. We are excited to see you at the Reception to Year Seven Parent Information Night on Thursday.
Ms Abby Matte
Primary Coordinator
We are so excited to welcome the 2025 school year!
Take a look at the smiling faces and warm welcomes as we greeted our current students and newcomers this morning. We are all ready to kick off an exciting school year!
