From the Principal – Issue #8, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,

Almost 80 Old Scholars from across many decades attended the SACOSA Milestone Reunion for graduates of 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014 at the College last Friday night. Reconnecting with old friends and making new ones from different eras made this a vibrant and fun evening. Carol Grantham and Christine Simpson led school tours, where people reminisced about their experiences and were amazed at how much the College has grown over the years. Amidst the diversity of our graduates, it was great to see that common thread of loving kindness and human connection that emanates from graduates of all ages. We look forward to bringing people together again in late June for the SACOSA Winter Cocktail Party.

Fun was also on the agenda at the Year 8 and 9 Social at the Italian Club on Carrington St last Friday. Students and their guests danced the night away, and the high rate of attendance suggests that this is an event that our students really look forward to. Thanks to the staff who supervised and to the parents for enabling their young people to participate.

Often the most memorable moments of young children’s education take place outside of the school grounds. This was certainly the case for Year 2 students on the Zoo Snooze and Year 3 students on camp at Narnu Farm. These outdoor experiences gave the girls a chance to make new friendships and spend time with their teachers in a different context. By gradually introducing overnight excursions, students grow in confidence and independence and have the courage to try new things.

Our Careers Expo last week for Years 9 to 12 students was more a case of bringing the outside world into SAC, as a huge range of higher education providers and industry advocates converged on the Catherine McAuley Auditorium to share their insights into career pathways. This was just one element of Careers Week, which also included students from Chancery Lane ELC through to Year 12 engaging in fun and informative explorations into the world of work. Many thanks to our awesome Careers Advisor, Julie Stephenson, whose imagination and creativity knows no bounds. You can read more about our National Careers Week activities in this week’s feature article. 

This week, the College is alive with the visual and performing arts, as part of Arts Week 2024. Music, drama, art and design activities at lunchtime have kept students creatively busy across the campus. It was fitting that the Year 12 Drama production, Lord of the Flies, directed by Lucy Dilger, was also scheduled for this week. These senior students certainly impressed and inspired with outstanding performances. We close the week tonight with SAC Laneway 2024, a festival of music that provides an opportunity to showcase our very talented music students and staff.

The recent Year 11 Retreat had a First Nations spirituality focus. Students participated in workshops on dance, weaving, silk painting, Kaurna language and culture, as well as listening to Pilawuk White and David Booth share their stories. As we prepare for National Reconciliation Week next week, we are conscious of how much we have to learn about First Nations cultures and we are grateful to the many leaders who took time to share their knowledge and culture with us. 

In the words of Reconciliation Australia: “Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change.  Now more than ever, we need reconciliation.” At SAC, we remain strongly committed to working towards a more just and reconciled Australia.

Ms Paddy McEvoy
PRINCIPAL

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