From the Principal – Issue #6, 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,

The last few weeks of Term 1 have been exciting as we shared with the world plans for the new vertical primary school in the heart of the College. With the development now well underway, it has been great to spread the enthusiasm for this project across the wider community. It also helps us to manage the inconvenience that is inevitable with any development, knowing that the end result will make it all worthwhile.

Many of our students and their families have been fasting for the holy month of Ramadan. It was a privilege to attend the 2025 Iftar Dinner for School Captains and Student Leaders on Monday 14 March, hosted by Pinnacle College, with Year 12 SRC Executive members Clodeta and Retha. At the dinner, we heard from community leaders and politicians, who celebrated the cultural and religious diversity within our SA schools and called on everyone present to use their leadership roles to promote inclusion and equity. We hope that all the Muslim families within our community who marked Eid-ul Fitr last week will enjoy this period of coming together to celebrate peace and prosperity.

Year 11 student Yenuli Perera was awarded the Zonta SA Young Women in Leadership Award for the Adelaide/Torrens District at a ceremony at Government House on Wednesday, March 26. Yenuli applied for this award independently, encouraged by Justice and Mercy Coordinator Maddie Kelly. The award recognises Yenuli’s extensive contribution to a range of community service activities, both within the school and in the wider community. We are so proud of Yenuli and grateful for all that she does to promote justice and mercy here at SAC. Here is an excerpt from Yenuli’s application that highlights the work that Yenuli does beyond SAC:

“Outside of school I have been involved in Youth Parliament. This experience really helped me to grow as both a leader and a person. I was able to meet people from diverse backgrounds and with different personalities. I was in the indigenous affairs and reconciliation committee, and we created a bill to help with the restoration of indigenous artifacts. I am also highly involved in our Sri-lankan youth group known as Muthuhara. Together we organise a range of events for us to socialise and raise funds. In 2024 we raised over $10,000 AUD by hosting a talent show to raise funds to build toilet facilities in a rural school in Sri-Lanka. Last year I became the president of Muthuhara, showing my high involvement in this group. In the past I have also raised money with the assistance of my family and friends to help girls in an orphanage. With the money I was able to gift them food, clothes, books and other essential items. I was also involved in a food festival in 2023 to raise money to buy insulin valves for those affected by the political unrest which had detrimental impacts on healthcare.”

The SAC Open Night brought together past, present and future SAC students and their families to tour the school, interact with staff and gain an insight into the breadth of experiences on offer at the College. Thanks to the many students and families who attended. Our students are our greatest advertisement – they radiate the confidence that makes this the school of choice for so many families. We thank the staff who support every student to flourish for their generosity and commitment in welcoming guests to Open Night and shining a light on the magic of SAC.