From the Principal – Issue #12, 2023

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC, Welcome to Term 3. I hope the term has started well for all our students and their families. In a special way, I would like to welcome and acknowledge the 16 new Reception students who have just completed their first fortnight of school, and the 12 students who have joined the College in other year levels this semester. We hope that you have experienced a warm Mercy welcome in your first days here and that you will quickly feel a strong sense of connection and belonging at St Aloysius College.


We were honoured in Week 1 this term to welcome Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, to meet with our Year 12 SRC Executive. Her Excellency led a conversation with the students that was both inspiring and informative. Ranging from women in leadership to strategies for creating change in communities, student leaders were thoughtful in their questioning and grateful for Her Excellency’s considered responses. We are proud that old scholar, Dame Roma Mitchell, was the first female Governor of an Australian state, and we shared our hope that SAC graduates will continue to blaze a trail for women in SA, walking in the footsteps of these outstanding leaders.


The energy and talent on display at the Arts Theatre last week in High School Musical is hard to capture in a few words. The experience of being part of a school production is one of the most memorable of many students’ schooling, and we are so proud of the 150 students who brought the theatre to life with music, dance and drama. Of course, these events are only possible through the exceptional skill and generosity of our staff. I would like to acknowledge Lucy Dilger (Director) and Fiona Turner (Musical Director), along with the many staff who contributed countless hours from planning through to rehearsals and performances. Your vision and creativity are gifts to our students and we are so grateful for your commitment to this project from conception to delivery – what you created together was a breathtaking spectacle for all of us who had the privilege of seeing it. We look forward to seeing highlights of the production at SAC Spectacular later in the year.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR STUDENTS’ energy & talent captured in a short clip!


This week a group of 10 students took part in an adventurous journey to the Tiwi Islands as part of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Alan Brown and Libby Butterworth have led this expedition for many years, and this year was the first time I had the opportunity to take part. It was an honour to spend time with Sr Anne Gardiner, a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, who has spent 70 years living and working alongside the people of Bathurst Island. Despite being recognised as Senior Australian of the Year in 2016, Sr Anne speaks humbly of all she has learnt in her time on Bathurst Island. Sr Anne has helped to create a Museum that now celebrates the history and culture of the Tiwi people and SAC has been able to support Sr Anne’s work through our fundraising efforts. At a time when the recognition of First Nations peoples is front and centre for us here in Australia, we appreciate being able to share such authentic insights into the Tiwi culture with our staff and students.

Finally, I would like to thank you for all your “welcome backs” in the courtyard since my return to school this term. To take a break after 10 years as Principal was a fantastic chance to rest and I returned with renewed energy. I am privileged to have an excellent Leadership Team who continued to lead with courage and compassion during this time. In a special way, I would like to acknowledge Nick Tattoli, who stepped into the role of Acting Principal with a calm confidence that ensured SAC was in good hands. I count my blessings each day to work alongside such wonderful people.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal


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