From the Principal – Issue #11, 2024

The Music Department has had a very busy end to the term. As well as the individual performances last Sunday in the Heritage Room, the Senior Choir led the singing at the Hutt St Centre Mass at the Cathedral. Students and staff share their musical talents with the world with great generosity, and this was appreciated by all who attended these events.

The SACOSA Choir sang beautifully at our Annual Winter Cocktail Party last Friday. The many new members from the Class of 2023 lifted the choir to new heights. Thanks must go to Kate Lewis, who makes everyone feel welcome and valued, whilst also producing high quality performances year after year. She chooses a lovely repertoire that showcases all voices, and the choir just keeps growing in confidence!

NAIDOC Week falls in the holidays again this year, so we had some special events at the College this week. Accomplished actress, Shantae Barnes-Cowan, is an Adnyamathanha woman who has starred in both movies and TV series. Shantae shared some stories from her career in the movie industry, and encouraged students to strive to realise their dreams, taking every opportunity that comes their way.

During the holidays, we will be finishing the construction of the Mitchell Steps project, which will create a physical Acknowledgment of Country in the centre of the College. The artworks which sit behind each wardli, or home, were created by our First Nations students in collaboration with the artist Cedric Varcoe. Maja Tongerie has worked alongside Cedric and the girls to bring this project to life. We hope you will all enjoy the beauty and peace of this space as you pass through the courtyard.

Thanks to the many families who came along to the Primary end of semester Mass and Awards Ceremony at the Cathedral this week. Your presence makes these moments more special for the children. As they receive their certificates, it is always nice to see them looking around to find Mum, Dad or Grandma in the crowd, seeing the pride in their eyes! We hope that the girls recognise that there are many gifts to be celebrated, and that everyone brings something special to this community.

And at this very chilly end to Term 2, can I thank all the students, families and friends of the College for your unwavering support for the work we do here in educating girls in the Mercy tradition. We are so proud of our students, past and present, who live out Mercy values each day. As Pope Francis says, “Mercy makes the world a little less cold and more just”.

See you in Term 3!

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal

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