From the Principal – Issue #19

Acknowledgement of Country

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,

It has been a fortnight of celebrations at St Aloysius College! The Graduation Dinner was a highlight, with students, families and staff gathering at Donato Reception Centre to honour the amazing young women who make up the Class of 2023. Forty staff were present on the evening, which indicates the level of connection these students have with their teachers and support staff, with 23 of the graduates having been at SAC since Reception and many who also attended the Chancery Lane Early Learning Centre. For me, the highlight of the evening was seeing staff, students and parents take to the dance floor together. I looked around the room and was deeply moved by the strength of these relationships, making space for every student to be completely themselves. Thanks to everyone who attended, and especially to Year 12 Coordinators Nicoletta Romanelli and Carolyne Williams, for making the evening such a resounding success.

Graduates from decades past (1983, 1993, 2003 and 2013) came together in the SAC Staff Room last Friday evening to reminisce and spend time together. As I spoke with a group from 2013, I was impressed by how many different directions their lives have taken beyond school and how much they have achieved in the last decade! From business owners to engineers, physiotherapists to teachers, they have all had the courage to try different things since graduation and have found fulfilment in diverse careers. Many of them spoke about how their Mercy education developed the character and the values that have helped them navigate life.

Year 4 and Year 7 students put on a concert for their families this week to demonstrate how far they have come as a result of the Music Immersion program at SAC. To take up a new instrument is a challenge and it was impressive to see what they have accomplished in such a short time. Undoubtedly, many students will continue to learn Music as a result of this immersion and that will have great benefits for the students themselves as well as our bands and orchestra. Thanks to the instrumental tutors and Music staff who make this program happen.

Yesterday, 27 students from Years 7 to 9 gathered in the Board Room for a Morning Tea to recognise their outstanding contribution to justice and mercy activities across the school this year. The Mercy Matters program was launched in 2023 to revitalise our commitment to community service, previously captured through the Mercy in Action Passport (or MiAP). Middle years students recorded their activities since Term 1 and those who have accrued significant hours receive a certificate, whilst those who have the highest levels of participation are invited to a Morning Tea with the Leadership Team. I would like to thank Kate O’Reilly and Sarah Kennedy for their work in launching Mercy Matters and I look forward to seeing this program enable more Years 7 to 9 students find new ways to express their commitment to Mercy values.

We said Bon Voyage to our French Study Tour students on Wednesday morning. This is the first Language immersion trip that has been possible since 2019, so both students and staff were excited to head off. My thanks to Languages Coordinator, Jane Mahar, for her meticulous planning and to Anne-Marie Prior and Nicoletta Romanelli, who will also accompany the 11 students on this overseas adventure. We are proud of the thriving Languages program at SAC and the opportunity to experience culture and language together is one of the exciting ways we promote Language learning – we wish the travellers all the very best!

Rehearsals are in full flight for SAC Spectacular next week. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal

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