St Aloysius Newsletter

From the Principal - Issue #7, 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,

Staff gathered in the Catherine McAuley Auditorium last Monday to continue our work on the SAC Staff Wellbeing strategy. Under the expert guidance of Sue Chandler from Transformative Schools, we learnt more about the concept of strategic pruning and how it can create space for innovation and promote a supportive staff culture. Rebecca Kane and Rachel Gould, on behalf of the Staff Wellbeing Working Party, led staff discussion and feedback on a draft of the framework. As we articulated in the Mercy Lights Strategic Plan, we aim to be a school where teachers love teaching and students love learning. Attending to the wellbeing of staff is an essential part of working towards this goal.

Last Friday, families and friends of Margaret Moses (Class of 1956) and Gyoparka (Lee) Makk came to SAC to honour these two remarkable women on the 50^th anniversary of their untimely deaths in Operation Babylift. Margaret and Gyoparka were inspired to support the work of SAC old scholar Rosemary Taylor (Class of 1955) in Vietnam, to save children who were unlikely to survive the chaos of war. Year 12 students and some secondary JAM students also attended the memorial, and we were all deeply moved by the stories of courage and compassion that were hallmarks of Margaret and Gyoparka’s tragically short lives. The final message shared was in Margaret’s inspirational words, a message that resonates powerfully today as we do what we can to bring peace to our world:

‘…our work depends on us not seeing the whole problem – we have to see the few children in our care and limit our attention to them…if we started to see what we are not doing, we would be able to do nothing at all. As it is, we are doing something…This has the curious effect of making people think that they can do something too’. Margaret Moses

The Year 11 Drama students performed their group production this week. It was a realistic play about how lives interconnect and the audience appreciated the powerful performances. The play explored some challenging themes but without losing sight of the joy of human connection. Congratulations to Ms Dilger and the cast, each of whom contributed their energy and insight to bring their roles to life. Thanks to the many parents and friends who attended, as having an audience really lifts the performance. 

Thank you to the many Mums and significant women in the lives of SAC students who attended our Mother’s Day Blessing this morning. For those of us whose Mums are no longer here to celebrate, it is a time to remember them and give thanks. My Mum, Catherine (or Kitty to some), taught me everything I know about God’s love at work in the world. With five daughters and three sons to educate, choosing SAC as the school for their girls was an important decision for my parents. Mum worked tirelessly to care for us all, cooking beautiful meals, knitting jumpers, attending every parent-teacher interview, tuckshop duty and school play and so much more. On Mother’s Day, and every day, I am grateful to have grown up in the warmth of my mother’s love. I hope that Mother’s Day this Sunday is a special one for our students and their families.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal

Happy Mother’s Day!

Outdoor Learning Cultivates Courage, Culture and Connection at SAC

At St Aloysius College, the world beyond the classroom is more than just a change of scenery— the bustling Adelaide CBD is what Primary Coordinator, Ms Abby Matte, refers to as a “third teacher.”

“SAC is uniquely positioned to use the city to enhance learning outcomes, and we do so with intention and care,” says Ms Matte.

The Australian Curriculum highlights that outdoor learning contributes to the development of essential personal and social capabilities such as communication, resilience, self-confidence, leadership, teamwork, goal setting, personal autonomy, and initiative.

From daytime explorations in the Botanic Gardens, to travelling west for a bike riding safety course, or a night spent at Zoo Snooze, and camps at Narnu Farm on the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula, students across SAC’s primary years engage with Outdoor Education in ways that are playful, personal and powerfully formative.

Year 3 students recently walked the living history of the Kaurna people, visiting sites of cultural significance. Transferring knowledge from the classroom into the outside world, and guided by cultural teachings of Uncle Major ‘Moogy’ Sumner, the Year 3s interpreted ancient symbols and reflected on Dreaming stories depicted in murals around the CBD.  These experiences, though close to home, build the same empathy and wonder as a faraway excursion, inviting opportunities for reflection and promoting cultural awareness.

“I had lots of fun looking at all the different artwork, especially the Dreaming story we learnt about in class. It was cool to see the story in real life,” said Hershi.

“I enjoyed sitting in front of the Uncle Moogy mural and thinking about someone in my life who has taught me valuable lessons like him,” Abigail reflected.

At a secondary level, Outdoor Education is offered as a subject at Stage 1 and Stage 2. And, for over 10 years, SAC has proudly hosted the highest number of female participants in South Australia for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award—a testament to the College’s commitment to empowering students of all ages through adventure and challenge. From the lively heart of the city to quiet trails and waterways further afield, outdoor learning at SAC enables young people to grow in courage, compassion and curiosity.

Ms Rachel Grawich, Duke of Edinburgh Award Coordinator at SAC, explains that, "outdoor learning experiences build more than skills—they build character. These programs help students become more independent, resilient, and environmentally aware, offering growth that can’t always happen in a traditional classroom."

Outdoor Education at SAC enables students to challenge themselves, to honour history and culture, and cultivates connection to place and to each other. Whether hiking through hills or walking through the Kaurna stories of the city, students are learning the most important lesson of all: that the world is their classroom, and they have a vital place within it.

Ms Maddie Kelly
Marketing & Communications Team

2024 Australian History Competition

Last term, four of our students were recognised for their exceptional performance in the 2024 Australian History Competition, a national event organised by the History Teachers' Association of Australia. This multiple-choice competition, designed for students in Years 7-10, aims to enhance their understanding of history while providing a stimulating challenge at the national level.

Congratulations to Aamina (Year 9) for receiving a Distinction, to Senithi and Yenuli (Year 11) for receiving Credits, and to Alice (Year 11) for achieving a Merit. The students were supported in their submissions by HASS teachers Ms Maria Fragnito, Ms Elizabeth Heuzenroder, and Ms Linda Sarunic.

Easter Eggs Spread Hope and Generosity

Easter eggs are not just a yummy treat but also a reminder of the new life we celebrate as we commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope that we share was also evident in the generosity of the St Aloysius College community and the expanse of Easter Eggs displayed in our front foyer. The Year 10 SRC have been promoting the donation of these goodies and delivered them to Centacare and Catherine House at the end of Term 1, where they were very gratefully received.  Thanks to everyone involved.

From the Primary Coordinator

Last week we held our Term 2 SAC Discovery Day offering an opportunity for ELC families to get a glimpse of SAC. Over the morning, we showcased how we engage and inspire students in their learning journey. We fostered curiosity and creativity in interactive maths activities and diverse art experiences. It was a joy to see the enthusiasm and excitement as families discovered the many ways we make learning both fun and meaningful. The hands-on SAC Discovery Days are held twice a year and allow participants to experience firsthand the dynamic and supportive learning environment we cultivate at SAC. Know anyone who might like to join the next Discovery Day in September? Please share the following link: https://saca.formstack.com/forms/sac_discovery_day_registration

Ms Abby Matte
Primary Coordinator

From the Careers Coordinator

All Aboard!

One and All Youth Voyage

Congratulations to Year 11 student Kaelei, who recently participated as a trainee in a Youth Voyage upon the STV One and All Tall Ship. The program aims to bring together young people from different locations and backgrounds, to forge new friendships, participate in teamwork, learn life skills and be challenged by perceived boundaries. All crew members spend 5 days sailing and learn sail handling, navigation and ship husbandry, as well as taking shifts on board through a roster system. The Training Crew’s ultimate objective for the last two days at sea is to pass on to the trainees the responsibility of operating the ship and taking command of her while the permanent crew keep a watchful eye but only step in if necessary. There’s a complete break from social media and personal devices, and the skills of looking, listening and communicating with fellow adventurers become central to the experience. Participants learn that it’s not possible to walk away from the challenges presented at sea, and meeting such challenges is a highly motivating experience.

Kaelei is sincerely grateful to Regency Rotary who sponsored her to attend this wonderful opportunity, and to Rotarian David Binks who continues to support the program. In the coming weeks, Kaelei will attend Regency Rotary to deliver a presentation about the voyage and the impact it made on her. She said it was “the most amazing thing she has ever done.”

National Careers Week celebrations begin

As we commenced National Careers Week celebrations, we welcomed representatives from Adelaide University who worked with Year 8 students to undertake inspiring STEM activities. Classes participated in:

• AI Brainstorm Battle
• Cranes and Cantilevers
• Medieval Mechanics

We thank current students from the University of Adelaide who delivered these hands-on sessions where the Year 8’s enthusiastically created some wonderful cranes, catapults and AI conundrums.

Ms Julie Stephenson
Careers & VET Coordinator

ANZAC Day: Aamina and Frieda’s Heartfelt Participation

This ANZAC Day, we were so proud to hear about the meaningful contributions made by two of our SAC students, Aamina (Year 9) and Frieda (Year 6), in local community events.

Aamina, who has been an Air League Cadet for two years, participated in both the dawn service at Lockley’s Memorial and the city ANZAC Day March. Her involvement truly reflects her deep respect for the ANZAC spirit and her commitment to honouring those who served.

Frieda, with her beautiful voice, had the honour of singing both the Australian and New Zealand national anthems at the city of West Torrens’ ANZAC Day ceremony. Standing before an audience of over 1,500 people, she performed with confidence and pride.

We are so proud of both students for their dedication and for representing our school in such a special way on this important day.

Aamina’s Commitment to Honoring the ANZAC Spirit

Watch Frieda's Inspiring Performance at ANZAC Day Ceremony

Court Excursions & Mock Trial Achievements

LEGAL STUDIES COURT EXCURSION

Legal Studies students recently visited the Magistrates Court to observe legal proceedings and gain insight into the roles of the Magistrate, police prosecutors, defence lawyers, and the accused. They observed cases of a summary nature, such as breach of bail, disorderly behaviour/assault of a police officer, and driving while disqualified.

The Legal Studies curriculum fosters critical inquiry, encouraging students to explore key concepts such as rights, fairness, and justice. In class, students regularly engage in thought-provoking discussions that ask ‘big questions,’ promoting deep reflection and an appreciation of diverse perspectives. Court visits bring these concepts to life, helping students connect their learning to real-world contexts and making the study of law both relevant and meaningful.

MOCK TRIALS

St Aloysius College has excelled in the Law Society’s prestigious Mock Trial competition, emerging as state champions in 2024. Building on that success, the team has made an impressive start to this year’s competition. Mock Trials simulate real courtroom proceedings, with students from Years 10 to 12 arguing fictional civil or criminal cases in a mock court setting. One of the rounds takes place in the District Court, where students enjoy an authentic legal experience. Through the competition, students develop their research and analytical abilities, think on their feet, and develop confident, charismatic courtroom presence — all while bringing imagination and insight to the role of legal advocates.

Lucyna Zwolski
Teacher

Year 11 and 12 Students Dive into Treasury Insights at the Commonwealth Treasury Event

On the of 10th April, Economics students in Year 11 and 12 were invited to attend a Commonwealth Treasury Economics Event at Pembroke College. Over the evening, students heard from government representatives about their jobs as economists, the role of treasury, the Federal Budget, and the current economic outlook.  Students were involved in Q&A and some even won prizes for their excellent answers! It was a great time learning about the real world application of their school studies. 

Ms Kiara Schonberger
Teacher

Science Rocks!

Year 3 had a rockin’ visit from a real-life geologist—one of our amazing parents Brendan Frears! As an Exploration Geologist at Amplitude Energy, he digs deep (literally!) into the layers of the Earth to discover where natural gas might be hiding.

With cool maps, seismic images and stories of ancient rivers and oceans, he showed us how rocks, soils and minerals hold clues to Earth’s past—and why understanding things like porosity and grain size matters.

It was hands-on, mind-blowing, and full of real-world science that brought our unit to life. Thanks for showing us just how much science rocks!

The Year 3 Team

Join The Oliphant Science Awards Competition

The Oliphant Science Awards is an annual competition for South Australian school students that aims to support, encourage, and celebrate science education within South Australian schools.

Students can choose from a wide range of categories to compete in, catering to various abilities and interests, such as:

• Photography
• Posters
• Games
• Multimedia
• Science Writing
• Scientific Inquiry
• Programming, Apps, and Robotics

The Oliphant Science Awards provide students with an opportunity to expand their scientific literacy by showing interest and understanding in the world around them and engaging in discussions about science. The Awards recognize the excellent work of students with prizes in each age group and category, along with sponsor and school prizes for outstanding achievements.

In the next week or so, we will be asking interested students (via the notices) to come to a meeting to find out about the Oliphant Awards. We hope they will be inspired to sign up and compete in the competition. Please note, the school will pay the registration fee for those students who join.

Students will be expected to complete their competition entries outside of school but are able to seek advice from the staff listed below.

Primary participants – Year 3-6 Managed by Ms Kate Ruston.

Middle and Senior students – Year 7-12 Managed by Ms Linda Kitto.

We look forward to seeing the exciting work that our students come up with.

Ms Linda Kitto
Science Coordinator

Bonjour!

Bonjour! Last term, in Week 11, the Year 10 French class enjoyed 'French Day'. This was a fun-filled day out and about, practising our French. We began with a trip to the French Film Festival to watch Tous Toqués, a dramatic comedy set in French Canada, followed by conversation practice over lunch at Bistro Français. We immersed ourselves in the French language, listening to French being spoken and speaking it with our peers, learning about Quebec and showing “le courage” by trying escargots. Fantastique!

Ms Anne-Marie Prior
French Teacher

From the Music Department

Generations in Jazz 2025

Last weekend, our talented music students in Catch 22, the Stage Band and the Small Jazz Combo had the incredible opportunity to participate in Generations in Jazz 2025 — an iconic annual event held in Mount Gambier that brings together thousands of young musicians from across Australia to celebrate jazz, creativity, and collaboration.

This year’s festival featured concerts with world-class performances from jazz legends including Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the soulful Michelle Nicolle, and the charismatic Darren Percival. These concerts left a lasting impression on our students, offering a glimpse into the heights of musical artistry and performance.

Each ensemble worked incredibly hard in the lead up to the event, and this was demonstrated in the performances presented by every one of them.

On the final day of the festival, students immersed themselves in instrumental and vocal workshops, gaining valuable insights from industry professionals and refining their musical skills. These sessions were not only educational but also deeply motivating, with students expressing how much they learned and how inspired they felt by the experience.

We are thrilled to share some outstanding achievements from the weekend:

• The Stage Band, led by Ms Steph Neale, secured 1st place in Division 4.2 – a phenomenal result that reflects their hard work and dedication.
• Catch 22, our vocal ensemble under the direction of Ms Jo Tropeano, earned 2nd place in Division 2 Large – a fantastic accomplishment in a highly competitive field.
• Special congratulations to Daisy L (Tenor Saxophone 1), Gianna D (Trumpet 1), and Emilee D (Drums) for being selected to the prestigious Division 4 Superband.
• An extra round of applause for Emilee, who was named Most Outstanding Drummer (Division 4) – an exceptional individual honour!

Beyond the awards, the festival was a chance for students to connect with peers from other schools, watch and learn from other ensembles, and build friendships across year levels within our own school. The sense of community, shared passion, and musical excellence made this an unforgettable experience for all involved. A massive thank you must also go to our music staff and leadership team, supportive families, and the organisers of GIJ for making this opportunity possible.

We are incredibly proud of all our students for their dedication, teamwork, and talent – congratulations to all!

"We were empowered by the abundance of passionate jazz musicians and astounded by the levels and differences of musicianship we were able to witness. This experience has enhanced our love for jazz music and will remain a cherished memory for years to come." Gislene, Daisy, Isabel and Imogen (Year 11)

Ms Fiona Turner
Music Coordinator

From the Secondary Sport Coordinator

Saturday Sport

Winter sport is well underway, with Round 2 competitions to take place this weekend. Fixture information up until Round 5 is able to be viewed on Clipboard. After this point, the association will view results and re-grade teams if necessary. Please note that this means game times and venues are subject to change.

A friendly reminder that all absences must be logged by a parent/caregiver through clipboard. For trainings and games. 24 hours notice or more is greatly appreciated so that fill ins can be sourced.

Interschool Sport

Knockout Basketball & Netball – Round 1 details:

Knockout basketball and netball teams have commenced trainings this term in preparation for their Round 1 competitions.

Round 1 information for most Term 2 competitions is in the process of being finalised (See below). Once this information is available, it will be added to relevant team’s clipboard calendars. A Consent 2 Go will also follow with more information. Please ensure that a parent/caregiver completes the Consent 2 Go in a timely manner so transportation can be arranged.

Term 2 competitions:

• Year 7/8 Basketball
• Year 11/12 Basketball
• Year 7/8 Netball
• Year 9/10 Netball
• Year 11/12 Netball

Term 3 competitions:

• Year 9/10 Basketball

We look forward to sharing the results with our community after these competitions take place!

Other year 9/10 Knockout Competitions

Volleyball and touch football competitions will take place over the next two weeks for our statewide teams in the Year 9/10 age groups. We are excited to have some experienced old scholars supporting these teams in their carnival days. Keep an eye on the notices and next newsletter for highlights and results!

SACSSGSA Swimming Carnival

On Tuesday, our Catholic Girls Swim Team competed at the annual SACSSGSA Swimming Carnival. We had a small team of only 16 students this year, however, some great talent across all year levels and many students who stepped up to swim several events for their age group (and some for age levels higher than theirs!). This team effort resulted in an overall aggregate championship – for a third year running! As well as this, our girls also finished top of the U16 and 16+ age categories.

Competition records were also broken on the day. We look forward to sharing these with the team once officially released.

Cross Country State Championships

When and Where:

• Thursday 5 June, 2025
• Oakbank Racecourse, Shillabeer Road off Onkaparinga Valley Road, Oakbank.

The Statewide Cross Country Championships is an opportunity for trained runners to compete against other athletes across SA schools. This is not a Come 'n' Try event. Experience with the following distances is mandatory.

Parent supervision / duty of care:
A parent or caregiver must accompany you on the day and take on duty of care as the school will not be providing transport or supervision.

To nominate:
Please provide the following information to me in an email and CC in a parent/caregiver

- Name & Date of Birth
- Supervising parent's name / phone number / email
- Whether your parent gives media consent on the day 

Ms Meg Henderson ([email protected])
Secondary Sport Coordinator

Upcoming Events

Pilgrims of Hope, Walking Together

To Our Community:

We invite you to read Archbishop O’Regan’s message regarding the announcement of our new Pope, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
Please click here to view the full correspondence.