From the Principal

It is hard to believe that there are only two weeks remaining in Term 3. It has been wonderful to be able to come together for more of our whole school events this term, such as the Spring Concert at the Adelaide Town Hall. What a celebration of the musical talents of our students and staff! From individual performances to ensembles, students rose to the occasion and lifted the roof of the Town Hall with their final number, with nearly 250 students performing on stage. Thanks to Fiona Turner, Coordinator of Music, and all the Music teachers, choral directors, instrumental tutors and support staff, whose countless hours of rehearsal and preparation made this event such a success.

Spring Concert 2022 – Celebrating the musical talents of our students and staff!

A look back at our annual Spring Concert at the Adelaide Town Hall on Friday evening! What a wonderful celebration of our students’ musical talents and our incredible Music Department. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

I attended the National Catholic Education Commission Conference in Melbourne last week, along with over 1400 delegates from around Australia. It has been many years since a conference of this size and scope was possible and there was a tangible sense of excitement about being together again. This year, the event coincided with the STEM MAD (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Making a Difference) Showcase at the Melbourne Entertainment Centre. You can read the students’ reflections on the Showcase later in this newsletter. I was so proud to stand alongside the SAC students and staff. They represented the College with pride, and the confidence and clarity with which they spoke to visitors about their projects and ideas was so impressive. Thanks to Ms Joanne Villis and Mr Tom Cotton who supported the students and accompanied them on this trip.

Pictured above: Students who were invited to attend the STEM MAD National Showcase in Melbourne (Year 10 students Tilda, Sophie and Emily, and Year 11 student Imogen)

The Mercy Education Seminar for 2022 was held in the Catherine McAuley Auditorium last Thursday. Our guest speaker was Sr Margie Abbott RSM, whose book Cosmic Sparks calls us to create rituals and liturgies that mirror the themes in Laudato Si and amplify the call to ecological conversion. We welcomed staff from many SA schools with Mercy heritage to the seminar, including Mercedes College, St Frances de Sales College and Our Lady Queen of Peace School. The Mercy Education Board and Executive staff were in Adelaide for this occasion, along with Sr Janet Lowe, Sr Margaret Adams and Sr Barbara Broad. We shared a meal and enjoyed being together and sharing our Mercy story.

The 2022 Mercy Education Seminar – A lovely gathering held in the Catherine McAuley Auditorium

Our Year 2 Zoo Snoozers needed their warm onesies this year, as the spring weather didn’t arrive in time for their night at the zoo. But their sense of fun and excitement at being together overnight was enough to keep them happy. Thanks to all the staff who attended. By taking these small steps towards independence in the early years, we plant the seeds of confidence and curiosity that enable our students to develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

So many great and fun adventures had by our Year 2 Zoo Snoozers at the Adelaide Zoo!

The Year 12 SRC Executive were invited to be part of a workshop this week on Women in Politics: Why Women need to Step Up and Speak Out. Involving schools in the Alliance of Girls’ Schools of Australasia, the panel consisted of women working in a variety of roles across local and state politics, all of whom had been educated in girls’ schools. We are proud of the confidence and leadership skills we develop in our students, and it was great to see some of our graduates take their commitment to changing the world into the political sphere. Our thanks to Dr Nicole Archard and Loreto College for hosting this event.

Women in Politics Workshop: Why Women need to Step Up and Speak Out

To finish the fortnight, staff were able to take time to focus on their own wellbeing at our annual Staff Retreat Day. With an opening address from Madhavi Nawana Parker from the Positive Minds Institute, we were able to engage in some activities that would help us to relax and care for ourselves. The staff of the College have been so remarkable throughout the challenges of the last three years, and it was great to see them enjoy some well-deserved rest and recreation.