From the Principal – Issue #7, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,

Term 2 started with a festival of colour in the shape of the SAC Colour Run last Thursday. The weather was perfect, and students and their families participated with their usual generosity. We raised over $14 000, and these funds will be greatly appreciated by the services in our community that support people experiencing homelessness – the Adelaide Day Centre, Catherine House and the Vinnies Women’s Shelter. Thanks once again to Ms Jacqui Mcilroy, Deputy Principal, and the team who helped her make the day such a success.

In the recent school holidays, Doreen Maiello and I flew to Tokyo to visit a number of schools that have been sending students to SAC for many years. It was a joy to be reunited with some of our recent study tour students. They were clearly excited to see us and, in some cases, asked us to ferry back cards and gifts for their study tour buddies here in Adelaide. Getting to know how our Japanese sister schools work will help us to ensure that future students will feel welcome and at home here.

Travel was definitely on the agenda for our Languages Department in this holiday period, with trips to Italy and Indonesia returning on the weekend before school began. I am often asked how SAC manages to sustain such strong enrolments in Languages, with Chinese, French, Indonesian and Italian offered to Stage 2 (Year 12) level. Study tours and exchanges are definitely factors in student engagement, but more broadly, the cultural diversity of our enrolments highlights for students how language learning can build understanding and relationships. These factors, along with the essential ingredient of passionate teachers who love their subject, are key to student engagement and success.

The Music Department was thrilled with their performances at the recent Generations in Jazz festival in Mount Gambier. Catch 22, our senior vocal ensemble directed by Jo Tropeano, was awarded first place in Div 3 Large – I think we may have heard them celebrating the announcement here in Adelaide! The Stage Band, directed by Steph Neale, also performed well, placing 5^th in Div 4. Sara Boksmati was selected as pianist for the Superband, which is a great recognition of her skills and leadership. Thanks to all the staff and families who supported the students to be part of this memorable trip.

Excitement is growing about the development of the new Dunlevie building. Primary staff collaborated with architects from Grieve Gillett Andersen and Hayball on our student-free day last week. Draft plans were presented and teachers reflected on how these plans met the requirements of students using the space. The layout of learning spaces will promote collaboration and connection and staff were excited by the amazing learning experiences that will be possible in this new building, as well as in the rooftop garden.

Learning Reviews for Semester 2 began this week with a new location in the Jordan Building. Many families appreciate the opportunity to discuss their daughter’s progress, keeping student voice at the centre of the conversation. We know that high quality feedback is essential to improving learning outcomes, and taking time to understand what is working well and what could be even better is valuable. The reviews will continue next Monday and we look forward to welcoming many more families to the College.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal

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