From the Principal – Issue #16, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,

Celebrations for Mercy Day are always a highlight of the school year at St Aloysius. The Mass at the Cathedral on Wednesday is a moment of reflection and gratitude, as we give thanks for the healing power of mercy in our school and in our world. This year we were grateful to Fr George Ochola for leading our celebration of the Eucharist. Each year we invite an old scholar to share their reflections on how mercy has shaped their life beyond school, and this year Georgia Lawrence-Doyle was our speaker. Georgia is an English and History teacher at SAC, and we were deeply moved and inspired by her reflections on her experiences of mercy and what drew her back to SAC to teach. This was followed by the Mercy Day Carnival today, where the joy of community, combined with the knowledge that we are raising funds for people in need, brings about a very special day. Thanks to all the families and staff who helped students to prepare for and participate in Mercy Day.

Last Sunday’s SACOSA (SAC Old Scholars Association) Mercy Day High Tea was a chance to say farewell to the Dunlevie building. So many of us have fond memories of the time we spent learning and teaching in Dunlevie, and we shared stories and laughter as we reminisced about those years. It was wonderful to have seventeen Sisters of Mercy join the celebrations. For many of the Sisters, the Dunlevie Building was their home before they went on to teaching and leadership roles at SAC and beyond. We appreciated their presence and were reminded that SAC is built on the hard work and inspiration of some amazingly talented educators, and we are proud to walk in their footsteps.

The design for the new Dunlevie Building is being finalised now and we are in the process of selecting a builder for the project. We are so excited to share the plans for this building, which will integrate contemporary approaches to learning and diversity and provide state of the art specialist facilities for our younger learners. We appreciate the extensive consultation that the architects have undertaken with our community, and we know that this building will open up new possibilities for staff, students and families in the years ahead.

And speaking of bright futures, it was a joy to attend the Catholic Education SA Graduation Ceremony for First Nations students at the Wine Centre this week. Tatum Maclean and Jaime Rowe are two outstanding graduates, who will no doubt go on to great things beyond school. Viv Graney and I were proud to stand beside the girls and their families and congratulate them on their outstanding achievements. Tatum has already secured an internship over the Christmas holidays, which she will complete prior to starting tertiary studies in Marketing and Communication next year.  Jaime also plans to pursue tertiary studies at one of our South Australian universities next year. Both Tatum and Jaime are excellent ambassadors for SAC and we wish them well.

Another group of outstanding graduates were presented to the Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, at the Adelaide Town Hall this afternoon. These twelve students have completed an array of community service, personal skill development and adventurous journeys over many years to achieve their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards in 2024. To have completed this level of the award whilst still at school is a fantastic achievement, and it was an honour for Alan Brown, Tom Cotton and I to accompany the students and their families to the ceremony. We congratulate Alexis Auret, Marley Band, Anjali Becker, Sara Boksmati, Eleanor Buckham, Olivia Daniel, Keira Gerrard, Tali Hodgkiss-Roberts, Airlie Hoendervanger, Abbey Moretti, Alicia Rudko, and Yasmin Toy​.

The Catholic Schools Music Festival never fails to impress in bringing together students from across SA for a week of performances at the Festival Theatre. The Year 5 and 6 students were on stage on Monday evening and Year 12 student Bridget Tran was one of the comperes. The choir was so polished, and Bridget was a wonderfully engaging and enthusiastic MC. SAC was represented every night with a range of ensembles, and Adi Hardy in the Rhythm Section, showcasing the breadth of musical talent we enjoy. Congratulations to all the staff who rehearse the choir and support acts for bringing together such a fabulous event.

As we prepare for our Term 3 holidays, I am mindful of the Year 12 students who are finalising their assessments and getting ready for exams. We will hold them and their families in our hearts in this final stage of their educational journey at SAC.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
PRINCIPAL

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