From the Principal – Issue #5, 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,

As we pass the halfway mark of the term, many students have been busy applying what they have learnt to assessment tasks, designed to enable them to show what they know and can do across a range of subjects. The NAPLAN Tests are one form of assessment which attract broad public attention due to their standardised nature. We are pleased that almost 100% of SAC students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 complete these tests without too much worry, knowing that it is just one piece of a much richer picture that teachers and support staff will create throughout the year. The online Term 1 testing will hopefully allow for a quicker turnaround in results, helping staff to target their teaching more effectively in meeting students where they are at. The results should always be interpreted in context, and tables that compare schools do not give a full picture of the diversity of student backgrounds within any school.

The Adelaide Fringe and Festival are coming to a close and it was wonderful to see some SAC old scholars and staff participating in these events. Nia Phillips and Sara Boksmati (Class of 2024), Kate Lewis (Class of 2014 and staff member), Carly Adams (Class of 2007) and Jo Tropeano (staff member) all performed in this year’s Fringe. As I watched our current students on stage at the Sounds of City Schools showcase at St Mary’s College last week, I realised that the seeds of future performance careers are often planted and nurtured at school. Being part of these performances clearly brings great joy to students and their families and is often just the beginning of a lifetime commitment to music! Thanks to all the families who came along to watch and to the Music staff, past and present, who create such passion for performance in our students.

Seeds of Future Performers – A Night of Music & Joy at the Sounds of City Schools concert

This week SAC hosted an event in partnership with the Rotary Club of Eastwood, profiling the work of Gemma Sisia at the School of St Jude in Tanzania. SAC has a special connection with St Jude’s, thanks to Old Scholars Maddie Kelly (Class of 2011) and Eithne Johnston (Class of 2009), who lived and worked there. Maddie also wrote the book, ‘The School that Hope Built’, a powerful story of this transformative school and its founder, Gemma. Students and staff who work in the SAC Op Shop were able to present a donation to Gemma from funds raised last year through Op Shop sales, supporting her incredible work fighting poverty through education. It’s great to see the actions that students take here in Adelaide making a difference in the lives of children in Tanzania.

supporting St Jude’s School in Tanzania

It has been a busy fortnight for students across the school. Year 8 students held their Retreat in Week 7, and the Year 1 Pyjama Party was the source of great excitement last Friday. Year 4 and Year 6 students had their camps this week, and Year 12 students were on Retreat in Mylor. All of these events are made possible through the creativity and commitment of the staff of the College, and I am so grateful to them in supporting our students to experience such a huge range of activities.

A Fortnight of Growth – Retreats, Camps, and Memorable Experiences for Our Students

Works are now well underway on the new Dunlevie Building. Families received an email from Deputy Principal, Nick Tattoli, outlining current works and their impact on the school environment. We are conscious that the disruption will be completely worthwhile as we see the brilliant facilities emerging over the next 18 months. Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to sharing regular updates with you via our website.

Click here to view our Building Update

During Lent, students, staff and families are invited to come together in the Chapel on Friday mornings before school at 8:20am to pray together. We reflect on the Stations of the Cross and how Jesus’ life, death and resurrection can strengthen us in living mercy each day. We hope that over the next few weeks more people will join us in this sacred space for a moment of peaceful prayer before we begin our day.

Ms Paddy Mc Evoy
Principal

Join Us in Prayer

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