From the Principal – Issue #9, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,

This Wednesday, 5 June, marked World Environment Day. Staff and students are aware that care for our common home is central to our mission as a Catholic school. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, says: “We must heed the call of the young people, citizens, associations and scientists urging us to take action, and radically change our relationship with nature and the planet. This collective quest for solutions is what World Environment Day is all about.” The creativity and innovation of our young people will be key to finding these solutions.

Both the Finance Committee and the College Advisory Council have met in the last fortnight. We are grateful to the members of our community (current and past parents, past staff members, Sisters of Mercy and friends of the College) who volunteer their time to support the work of these committees. Their expertise and guidance in ensuring that we remain true to our Mercy values in all activities of the College and in the stewardship of resources are gifts that we do not take for granted. Judy Sailors, Acting Chief Executive of Mercy Education Ltd, was also in Adelaide this week and attended the Council Meeting where she shared her insights into the broader mission of Mercy Education. I would like to acknowledge and thank the Finance Committee and College Advisory Council, pictured below, for their wisdom and generosity.

Pictured above: College Advisory Council
Mr Samir Madi, Mr Steve Andrews, Ms Lisa Dallow, Sr Helen Owens RSM, Dr Sue Holoubek (Chair), Ms Paddy McEvoy, Ms Doreen Maiello and Kiah Buckskin-James

Pictured above: Finance Committee
Ms Diandra Ciaciarelli, Mr Steve Andrews, Mr Adam May, Ms Paddy McEvoy, Mr Kevin O’Brien (Chair) and Mr Nick Tattoli

Sister Judith Redden RSM, Principal of Saint Aloysius College 1983 – 2013, has recently been diagnosed with an invasive bone cancer. Judy has already begun treatment and is responding to this health challenge with her usual optimism and determination. Sr Caroline Ryan, on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy, has invited us to join in prayer for a miracle of healing to support Judy’s physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing, a miracle that might also advance the cause of Catherine McAuley’s canonisation. In the month of June, members of the St Aloysius College community may wish to pray once a day intentionally through Catherine, using the prayer below:

Those of us who were students at SAC during Judy’s time as Principal, or who have worked alongside her for many years, know her as a woman of great faith and vision. Judy welcomes our prayers and loving thoughts and we wish her well at this challenging time.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal

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