From the Principal

From the Principal

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal

Dear parents and carers,

Our whole school assembly last Tuesday was the first opportunity to share our Acknowledgment of Country video with all students and staff. There was a genuine sense of pride in this work, capturing as it does voices and images of our students, staff and parents. There is great progress being generated by our Reconciliation Action Plan, and a small part of this is acknowledging Kaurna land in authentic ways at our whole school gatherings. Thanks to all who contributed to the development of this video.

Developed as part of our Reconciliation Action Plan, we have worked together with students, families and staff to bring the Acknowledgement of Country video to life


Academic Awards for secondary students were the focal point of the assembly, as well as recognising achievements in a range of curriculum extension activities. Following her success in the Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking Competition, Year 12 student Rida gave a rousing address, calling on all students to seize the opportunities presented to them and make their voices heard. Congratulations to all the students who were presented with certificates and awards at this assembly.


The Justice and Mercy (JAM) group has been selling tea, coffee and chocolate for Fair Trade Fortnight in the Jordan Undercroft. Raising awareness about ethical choices is an important part of the work of JAM, and our senior students are leading the way in this endeavour. Thanks to all the students and staff who braved these chilly mornings to set up the urn and sell the fair trade goods, helping JAM to profile this issue.


The JAM group also welcomed back old scholar and former staff member Maddie Kelly at their meeting last Friday. Maddie has spent the last five years working at the School of St Jude in Tanzania. Having opened with just 3 students, St Judes now enjoys an enrolment of 1800. Maddie has loved being part of the school, helping to transform lives and fight poverty through education. Students of all ages were deeply moved and inspired by Maddie’s passion for making a difference in the world.


Speaking of making a difference, St Aloysius College was proud to be awarded 1st and 2nd place in the recent 2022 Catholic Education SA STEM MAD (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Making a Difference) Showcase, and will now represent CESA at the National Showcase in Melbourne in September. Congratulations to Year 11 student Imogen, whose app was designed to support students experiencing anxiety, and to Year 10 students Tilda, Emily and Sophie, whose app was designed to support people with Alzheimer’s Disease. These students were able to integrate their passion for justice with STEM skills to come up with some amazing ideas, and we wish them every success as they head to Melbourne.

Finally, I would like to thank all our parents and carers for your understanding as we have navigated the challenges of COVID once again in 2022. Minimising face-to-face meetings has meant we have not been able to build connection and relationship in the usual ways, and this has significantly impacted our newly enrolled families. We look forward to welcoming families to our Parent-Teacher-Student Learning Reviews and Year 11 and 12 Subject Selection Interviews later this term.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal


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