From the Principal – Issue #4, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,

This week we have distributed the St Aloysius College 2023 Magazine to students. The beautiful cover, designed by current Year 7 student Charlize, reflects the vibrant and engaging content of the magazine. The images jump off the page, illustrating a school environment that is bursting with life and learning. Congratulations must go to Alexandra Gonzalez Salas, whose work throughout the year in capturing most of these photographs, combined with her talent for bringing things together in such a visually inviting way, is central to the success of the publication. I hope that you will enjoy scanning the pages for images and stories of your loved ones!

The Class of 2023 were welcomed back to the College by SACOSA (the SAC Old Scholars Association) last Friday night and were the first to receive their Magazines. We were thrilled to have so many of the cohort present at the event – a sign of good things to come for SACOSA. We look forward to keeping in touch with our most recent graduates through SACOSA activities and hearing where life takes them.

Speaking of old scholars, this week we had the annual photo for daughters, nieces and grandchildren of old scholars. Each year, this photo grows to encompass more of our students. There can be no greater affirmation of an education at SAC than to want the same experience for your own daughter, and we are proud to welcome so many generations of Mercy women through our doors as parents and grandparents.

It was great to see the Year 12 students taking to the pool at the Swimming Carnival last week. We were delighted by the level of participation from Years 4 to 12 and thankful for the many parents who came along to join us at the Aquatic Centre. There was a healthy balance between competitive swimming events and hilarious novelties, which explains why everyone was able to get involved. Thanks to Nicole Wedding and the PE team for their excellent organisation of the day.

Thanks to the many First Nations students and their families who joined us for the Yarn Up BBQ last Thursday. Viviana Graney, Maja Tongerie and India Bament-Sitkowski created a welcoming environment for both adults and young people in the Mitchell courtyard and the playground kept the younger kids entertained all evening! We are excited to see the Mitchell Steps redevelopment take place over the next few months, which will provide a physical Acknowledgment of Country in the centre of the College. The Reconciliation Action Plan at SAC is an authentic and active plan because of the wisdom and guidance of the First Nations members of our community, and we look forward to our continued work together for a more just and reconciled Australia.

Who doesn’t love the thought of coming to school in their PJs? The Year 1s certainly embraced the idea wholeheartedly at the Year 1 Pyjama Party. There was dancing, pottery, other crafts and pizza. We were glad they were heading home in their PJs, as I think most of them would have fallen asleep in the car on the way home!

Today is International Women’s Day, a day where we celebrate the progress towards gender equality in our society and highlight the changes we are still seeking. The UN Women Australia theme for 2024 is Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. The recently released information regarding the gender pay gap in Australia reminds us of the need to continue fighting for women to fully realise their potential and have their work recognised through equal pay. We are proud to be part of the solution at SAC, empowering young women to change the world!

Happy International Women’s Day!

Ms Paddy McEvoy
PRINCIPAL

2024 International Women’s Day – Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress

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