Acknowledgement of Country
From the Principal - Issue #8, 2025
Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,
The last fortnight has seen students engaging in a range of activities, from the SAC Career Expo to Work Experience, to explore the world of work. Led by our extraordinary Careers Counsellor, Julie Stephenson, students of all ages are encouraged to imagine where their skills and talents might lead them beyond school. The way our students participate in these experiences, with genuine openness and curiosity, is an essential part of educating young women who graduate with a sense of passion and purpose. Thank you to the many organisations who attended the expo and supported our students on work experience, as well as the staff who visited them and the families who create the fertile ground to explore careers. The Alumni Breakfast will round out Careers Week, with a chance to share stories and learn from old scholars.
Catch a glimpse of the activities on display during Careers Week 2025 at sac
In the last fortnight I have met with two Year 11 students in relation to their research for AIF (Activating Identities and Futures). Their topics reflected the complexity of interests and sophistication in their thinking. One was investigation how we might strengthen pathways for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds to university. Another was collating data on the positive impacts of curriculum extension activities on student wellbeing. Both of these topics would make a high-quality thesis at tertiary level and I was so impressed by the confidence with which the girls tackled their studies.
Tomorrow our sports teams will take to the field wearing ribbons to celebrate Reconciliation Round. It will kick off a week of activities designed to promote reconciliation, encouraging all Australians to continue the journey towards a more just and reconciled Australia. The theme for 2025, Bridging Now to Next, highlights the connection between past, present and future, a theme that has been captured beautifully in The Wardlis in the centre of our campus. I look forward to attending the National Reconciliation Week Breakfast at the Convention Centre next Tuesday, to hear from Professor Jackie Huggins, who has worked for 45 years in community, academia and government, both nationally and internationally.
Year 8 and 9 students have been looking forward to tonight’s social for months. Held at the Italian Centre on Carrington St, we welcome students from Blackfriars, CBC and Rostrevor to join us for an evening of fun and dancing. As with many of these events, the build up is as important as the event itself. We hope that families have enjoyed the preparation, and the girls have a wonderful evening.
Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal
National Reconciliation Week
This resource shares a variety of ways in which families can connect to and celebrate National Reconciliation Week and Indigenous culture.
National Simultaneous Storytime
National Simultaneous Storytime is a much-loved annual event for our primary students, and this year was no exception. Our 1EG students brought Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell’s picture book, The Truck Cat, to life. They shared the story of Tinka the truck cat, losing her way while on the road with her doting owner, Yacoub. Ms Wildenauer and Tony helped bring the story together as Tinka finds a new friend in Mari and her way back to Yacoub. The performance was enjoyed by everyone involved – actors and audience alike – and was a wonderful opportunity for us to be part of the nationwide literacy experience of reading the same book at the same time on the same day!
Ms Ali Ripberger
Teacher-Librarian | Information Services Coordinator
From the Careers Department
Careers & VET Coordinator
National Careers Week 2025
We recognise that the path to a meaningful career is rarely a straight line. It often involves trying different things, experiencing setbacks, uncovering new interests, and developing an understanding of values, skills, and passions over time. What matters most is curiosity, openness, and persistence, and it with this in mind that we celebrate National Careers Week at SAC. The wide range of activities on offer aim to encourage young people to begin building a sense of purpose as they explore, evolve, and grow through a journey of self-discovery.
Reception and Year 1 students learnt about the value of volunteering as they engaged with a story called “Let’s Get a Pup!” which saw a family adopt not one but two dogs from an animal shelter. Students enthusiastically created toys for cats at the RSPCA which were delivered and received with great appreciation. Meanwhile, Year 3 students were able to view the journey of Tracker the dog and her friends who, over the last term, have been visiting a wide variety of workplaces with families. Tracker’s adventures went far and wide, and much was learned about different occupations. A display in the library captured Tracker’s journey and we thank all families and friends of Year 3 students who participated.
In a wonderful display of creativity and engineering prowess, Year 2 and Year 4 students participated in a dynamic robot battle workshop that combined hands-on learning with friendly competition. Organised by Robogals, which is a student run global organisation, the workshop invited young minds to delve into the world of STEM, enhancing their skills in coding, problem-solving, and teamwork. Starting in 2008, Robogals aims to inspire, engage and empower young women into engineering and related fields. The workshop culminated in a series of robot duels, which led to much excitement while sparking an interest in robotics. We are thankful to all participating student volunteers from the University of Adelaide who led the workshops, and it was fantastic to see SAC old scholars amongst those who are now passionate advocates for women in engineering.
In an effort to equip young students with essential lifesaving skills, Year 5 and Year 6 students engaged in a comprehensive first aid training session provided by St John Ambulance. This initiative is part of the broader First Aid in Schools program, which aims to teach primary school children the vital skills needed to respond effectively in emergency situations.
The training session covered a range of topics tailored to the developmental stage of the students. Participants learned how to assess danger, check for responsiveness, and perform basic first aid procedures. Students also practiced calling for help and learned how to place an unconscious but breathing person into the recovery position. By participating in this training, students not only gain confidence in their ability to assist in emergencies, but also develop a sense of responsibility and community awareness. We extend our gratitude to St John trainer Jenny, who delivered 5 training sessions to all Year 5 and Year 6 students.
As Year 7 students embark on their high school journey, the University of Adelaide delivered a valuable workshop designed to help them navigate this significant transition with confidence and resilience. The workshop focused on building resilience, adapting to change, and strengthening emotional well-being during this crucial period. Recognising that the shift from primary to secondary school can be both exciting and challenging, the workshop aims to support students with strategies to manage stress, embrace new experiences, and foster a positive mindset.
The McAuley Auditorium was abuzz with energy and aspiration as students from Years 9 to 12 attended the SAC Careers Expo. With 21 organisations on hand, the event provided a valuable opportunity for students to explore a wide range of vocational, tertiary, and occupational pathways, offering insights that will help guide future career decisions. Students engaged in meaningful conversations, collected resources, and asked important questions about their next steps — whether that be further study, training, or entering the workforce.
It was a fantastic opportunity for students to gain firsthand advice, clarify goals, and begin mapping their futures with confidence. The diversity of opportunities presented made it clear: no two career journeys are the same, and every student has a unique path worth exploring.
We remain deeply grateful for the time and commitment shown by all the providers and would like to extend a sincere thank you to the following organisations for their invaluable support:
Flinders University, Adelaide University, Defence Force, Queensford College, Adelaide Institute of Business and Technology, Tabor College, Clipjoint Education, Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Media Makeup, Motor Trades Association, Born to Build, GHD, Engineers Australia, Australian Chiropractic College, Adelaide Institute of Hospitality, The French Beauty Academy, Celtic Training, Pivot Training. International College of Hotel Management (ICHM), Salford College, Torrens University.
Ms Julie Stephenson
Careers & VET Coordinator
From the Drama Department
Drama Coordinator
Invigorate 2025: Igniting Passion, Practice and Possibility in Drama Education
St Aloysius College in association with Drama Australia and Drama SA, were proud to host the Drama Australia National Conference ‘Invigorate’ recently. With a program of engaging keynote speakers, performances, workshops and research papers, this national gathering aimed to invigorate our extraordinary Drama community. Over 150 attendees from South Australia, interstate and overseas attended the conference over two days. The conference united us enabling teachers to discover innovations, best practice and drama research. Empowering teachers to inspire each other and fuel the creativity, artistry and wellbeing of Australia’s young people.
Mr Tom Coultas
Drama Coordinator
Lights, Drama, Action!
Be ready to witness the talent of our Year 12 Drama stars!
Save the Date: Friday 6th June (6:30pm) - Tickets are available via trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DAIVC
From the Deputy Principal
(Administration)
Deputy Principal (Administration)
Building Update
We have foundations and the first floor is taking shape! The speed at which the new Dunlevie is coming together has been exciting, partly due to the excellent weather conditions for the builders and the hard work of everyone on site.
Over 40 concrete trucks put the foundations in place at the end of Week 2. It was a very long day for the construction team but provided our community with a great sense of the scale of the new building. SAC is very grateful for the excellent communication and ongoing flexibility of the Schiavello team. One of our recent graduates, Caitlin Surynt (Class of 2024), who is studying a Bachelor of Construction Management, is working part-time for Schiavello on this project.
We know that work on the second floor will begin soon. It is exciting to have such a visible sign of progress in the centre of our school.
City of Adelaide Draft Integrated Transport Strategy Consultation
The Adelaide City Council have been working on their transport strategy for some time and are calling again for community feedback. The Council have shared the following information:
In Stage 1 of our consultation, nearly 800 people shared their thoughts on how we move around the city. The main messages we heard were:
- A strong call to prioritise public transport, walking/wheeling and cycling
- A desire for safer, healthier, more connected streets
- A need to rethink how we manage street space, including parking
- A push for better cycling infrastructure—especially east-west connections
- Concerns about the impacts of through-traffic in the city.
We are now in Stage 2 and we have drafted an Integrated Transport Strategy. This is your chance to provide feedback to the City of Adelaide.
Consultation closes 25 May: https://ouradelaide.sa.gov.au/integrated-transport-strategy. On the page, there is information about how you can provide feedback, including via surveys for both adults and students. It is important that we hear from children and young people too and encourage parents/carers to complete the student survey with their children.
From the College perspective, we understand feedback from parents that limited parking around the school is an ongoing frustration. Given the size of our Primary School, bringing young children to school in the middle of the city presents challenges, and we would appreciate it if the Council considers the needs of these families with young children in their planning when it comes to balancing priorities of public transport, cycling, walking and motor vehicle transport. We believe that the city will flourish when it is accessible to everyone, so measures that may deter people from coming into the city (such as restricted vehicle access, limited parking etc) are not helpful.
It is important that we raise our voice in this context so that the Council is aware of the implications of the proposed changes on our school community. We would appreciate it if you could take the time to provide specific feedback to the City of Adelaide. Click here to complete the survey.
Mr Nick Tattoli
Deputy Principal (Administration)
Year 8s Dive into Podcasting with Jemma Barsby
Our Year 8 students are currently exploring the world of podcasting, and some had the exciting idea to interview a professional athlete. This week, we were fortunate to welcome to our school, Jemma Barsby - captain of the South Australian women’s cricket team and Adelaide Strikers WBBL player. Jemma generously gave up her time to speak with a group of students, share her journey, and answer their thoughtful questions. The girls conducted their own interview and are now transforming it into a podcast episode as part of their assessment. A fantastic opportunity to combine real world learning with digital media skills!
Rostrum Voice of Youth
Rostrum Voice of Youth is a national public speaking competition for school students in Years 7-12 which provides an excellent opportunity for entrants to gain experience and confidence in expressing their views and communicating a message. On Saturday May 10, five students from St Aloysius College competed in the first heat of the competition at Immanual College. Each competitor had to present a pre-prepared speech as well as a quick preparation round where students had only 15 minutes to prepare a three-minute speech on an unknown topic. It was an incredible day with hundreds of participants taking part. SAC did a fantastic job and congratulations to Mariya Zaghwan and Aamina Dars who were selected to compete in the semi-final on May 24th.
Ms Combe & Ms Koulianos
Rostrum Voice of Youth Coordinators
Year 3 Adventures at Narnu Farm, Full of Farmyard Fun!
One of the much-loved highlights of Year 3 is the annual trip to Narnu Farm. Students got to know some very cute creatures. They fed, patted, and learned about farm animals and experienced life on the farm. From feeding chickens and pigs to churning their own butter, the girls loved their time at Narnu Farm!
Scroll down to enjoy the adorable photos from this unforgettable time.
A Day of Culture, Connection, and Creativity
Last week at Sunnybrae Estate, Year 11 students were immersed in rich Indigenous culture exploring traditional artefacts, dance, silk painting, weaving, and even carving their own boomerangs. The day closed with a thoughtful SRC led liturgy, reflecting on all they had learned and shared. A truly special day of learning, listening and growing together.
Year 6 Students Visit Parliament House as part of DreamBIG Festival
As part of this year’s DreamBIG Children’s Festival, our Year 6 students had the incredible opportunity to visit the Parliament of South Australia. This exciting excursion allowed students to step inside one of the state’s most important buildings and see democracy in action.
During the visit, students explored both the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council, learning how laws are made and how the government represents the people of South Australia. They also had the chance to participate in a mock debate, where they confidently shared their ideas and took on the roles of parliamentarians.
This hands-on experience was a wonderful way to bring our Civics and Citizenship learning to life. It sparked many thoughtful conversations and inspired our students to think about the role they can play in shaping their community.
"I liked learning about the history of Parliament House and having the opportunity to debate ideas in the same way the government does." Martella Napier 6GC
"I enjoyed the opportunity to practice public speaking and I thought the designs of the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council were really well thought out. The chambers represented the people of South Australian as well as the land here." Sienna Wilkinson 6SD
"The experience was enjoyable as we were able to learn new things about Parliament House. I learnt that women were once not allowed to vote and that South Australia was the first state to grant women the right to vote in 1894." Elizabeth Ho 6GB
The Year 6 Team
Ms Laura Flynn and Ms Nicoletta Romanelli
Mathematics Coordinators
2025 AUSTRALIAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION
(FOR STUDENTS IN YEARS 7-12)
Your daughter is invited to take part in the 2025 Australian Mathematics Competition. This competition will be completed on Tuesday 7 August 2025 (Term 3, Week 3).
Participating in the Australian Maths Competition helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by challenging them with a variety of mathematical problems. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for students to gain recognition for their mathematical abilities and boosts their confidence in tackling complex concepts.
Further information on the competition can be found on the Australian Mathematics Trust website (www.amt.edu.au).
Participation in this activity is optional. If you would like your daughter to take part in this assessment, please email at [email protected] by Friday 27 June (Term 2, Week 9).
Ms Laura Flynn and Ms Nicoletta Romanelli
Mathematics Coordinators
From the Music Department
Music Coordinator
Coming up in Term 2…
Is your child currently enrolled in private music lessons? Then don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to see them perform in our Sunday Soirée!
The St Aloysius Music Department are delighted to announce that we will be hosting three concerts on Sunday 22 June, at 10am, 12:30pm and 3pm. The concerts will feature various instrumental and singing performances from a selection of our private music tuition students. If your child is currently enrolled in private music lessons and is interested in performing at one of the concerts on the day, please discuss this with your child’s music tutor or contact the Music Department at [email protected]
Senior Music Evening
Don’t miss out! Join us in Week 7 for the Senior Music Evening — a night of unforgettable performances and outstanding talent. Featuring our talented Year 10, 11, and 12 Music students. Everyone is welcome!
Sporting Spotlight
From the Uniform Shop
Uniform Shop Trading Hours
- Tuesdays and Thursdays (8.15am – 11.30am)
- Wednesday (1.00pm – 4.00pm)
For a fitting and to make an appointment with the Uniform Shop, please click here.
Our full range is available online by clicking here.
Please note – we will no longer be accepting any formal uniforms and bags for second-hand sales from Friday 4 July, 2025. Existing second-hand stock will still be available for purchase until sold out.
You are still able to sell all PE uniforms.
Laudato Si Week (17-24 May)
Laudato Si’ Week began as a way to celebrate the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ world-changing papal encyclical letter, “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home”. 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the encyclical; encouraging action and advocacy.
The following resource has been developed by the Catholic Identity and Mission Team, for you to share with your communities, to encourage families to deepen their connection with God’s creation.
Pilgrims of Hope - Walking Together
