St Aloysius College Old Scholar, teacher, Sister of Mercy and social justice advocate Sr Janet Mead left an extraordinary legacy in Adelaide and beyond. Best known internationally for her groundbreaking recording of The Lord’s Prayer, Sr Janet also devoted her life to education, compassion and service, founding the Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless Persons — a place where SAC students continue her mission today through weekly volunteering and outreach.
A proposal is currently being considered to rename the section of Queen Street between Angas Street and Carrington Street to “Sister Janet Mead Street” in honour of her enduring contribution to music, education, social justice and the Adelaide community.
We warmly encourage our SAC community to support this meaningful recognition of a woman whose Mercy spirit continues to inspire generations.
Acknowledgement of Country
From the Principal - Issue #7, 2026
Principal
It’s hard to believe that at the end of this term, the new Dunlevie Building will be finished and ready for use. As we toured the site with the primary staff on Day 1 of Term 2, we could begin to visualise the learning that will take shape in this space in Term 3. The light that flows in through the huge windows is beautiful, and amazing views greet us from every side of the building. I am incredibly grateful to all the staff and students who contributed to this vision for future learning, and to the families who have been so patient in navigating the complexity of building in the heart of the campus. The dream will become reality very soon.
Excursions and incursions have been happening across the school this fortnight. As I watch the students head off to the Botanic Gardens, Parliament House or the Art Gallery, or the Robogals team arriving to work with our primary students, I am constantly reminded of the lengths our staff go to to bring learning to life and educate young people to explore the city with confidence and curiosity. Small groups of students head off each week to the Adelaide Day Centre to support people experiencing homelessness, and even the little ones have a chance to venture out through the Zoo Snooze. Families appreciate the full suite of activities that their children experience at SAC, and we are grateful to the staff who make everything possible!
The Music Department had their own adventure last weekend, taking 39 students to participate in the annual Generations in Jazz festival in Mount Gambier. Every student represented the College with pride and their teachers, support staff and families were so proud of each and every one of them. From the first-timers in the Jazz Choir, to the seasoned performers in the Stage Band and Catch 22, the shared love of music that underpins this event is a gift that every student will carry with them for life. Congratulations to all the staff and students who participated.
The Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award participants have been out on their first adventurous journey this week, hiking at the Waite Conservations Reserve. For many students, this will be just the beginning of a range of outdoor education experiences throughout their secondary years. At the other end of this journey, a group of Year 11 students are preparing to embark on their residential project in the Tiwi Islands to complete their Gold Dukes Award. Sr Anne Gardiner has been welcoming students from SAC to her home in Tiwi for more than 20 years, and she is eagerly awaiting this year’s group.
Thank you to the many mothers, grandmothers and significant women who joined us for the Mother’s Day Breakfast this morning. Whilst your special day is on Sunday, I know that everyone had a tear in their eye as we were serenaded by the primary choir. For those of us whose mothers are not here to celebrate, we remember them with great love and gratitude on this day and always.
Wishing all the mothers in the SAC community a special day for Sunday!
Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal
Project Compassion in Action
Year 6 student Havannah (6SD), alongside Gorgias from CBC, recently demonstrated incredible initiative and compassion through their Project Compassion fundraising efforts over the Easter weekend.
With only three days’ notice, they decided to create and run a lemonade stall as their fundraiser. From there, they treated it like a real small business and worked incredibly hard to bring it to life.
They created a business plan, including marketing materials such as posters, a signboard and price list, as well as a budget, goal and individual roles. Their ideas expanded beyond lemonade to include Zooper Doopers, hot cross buns, a lucky dip and lolly bags. They even introduced special deals and saved some items for a second day to encourage return customers.
Throughout the week, they showed fantastic teamwork, initiative, creativity and dedication. They researched a lemonade recipe, worked out expenses, shopped for ingredients and tested batches to make sure the lemonade was “just right”.
They ran the stall for approximately three hours on Friday and again on Monday, adding decorations and music to attract customers and confidently spruiking to bring people over.
Altogether, they raised $237, and were thrilled to know that the cost of expenses would also be donated.
It was wonderful to see the effort, enthusiasm and collaboration they put into this project, inspired by others in their community and creating a ripple effect of generosity.
Ms Sarah Dinning
Year 6 Tecaher
AIF at SAC: Learning through Passion and Purpose
What happens when students are given the freedom to explore something that truly matters to them? At St Aloysius College, the answer can be found in the inspiring and personal projects being prepared in SACE subject, Activating Identities and Futures (AIF). Through AIF, Year 11 students are empowered to pursue meaningful learning goals connected to their interests and future aspirations, nurturing their independence and critical thinking, confidence, and real-world skills.
AIF students were excited to share their knowledge so far during Open Night 2026, alongside teachers Ms Lucy and Ms Stephenson in the Careers Centre
AIF Coordinator, Ms Lucyna Zwolski, explains that, “Activating Identities and Futures (AIF) is a compulsory Stage 2 SACE subject that all students must complete to achieve the SACE. At SAC, students undertake AIF in Year 11.”
“The subject focuses on independent learning, with students identifying a Learning Goal that holds personal meaning,” she says. “They then apply a range of strategies, while seeking feedback and diverse perspectives, to support and extend their learning journey.”
This year’s Learning Goals reflect the extraordinary breadth of student interests and ambitions. Topics range from self-defense for women, sustainable garden design and vocal health, to robotics, marine ecology, cultural cooking, interior design and sport performance.
For student Lily, AIF became an opportunity to combine creativity and problem-solving skills with her passion for engineering.
A hands-on build driven by Lily's interest in robotics and future goals in mechanical engineering
“My Learning Goal is to build and code a robotic arm to pick up an object,” Lily explains. “I chose this goal because I enjoy hands-on work and am very interested in robotics.”
With aspirations to study mechanical engineering at university, Lily saw the project as both a challenge and a stepping stone towards her future career. Along the way, she discovered the importance of breaking complex problems into manageable steps, creating timelines, and adapting her learning strategies to suit the way she learns best.
“Throughout this subject I have learnt that I learn better with someone explaining things to me, in person or in a video, rather than just reading a recount or website,” she says.
Lily also emphasised the value of collaboration and feedback throughout her learning process. Teachers, peers and experts helped her troubleshoot coding challenges, refine her design ideas and stay motivated when obstacles arose. Her final output will feature a video demonstration of the robotic arm successfully moving an object, alongside annotated evidence of her coding and mathematical learning.
Likewise, AIF has offered Myf the chance to explore her interests in communication technologies, marine ecology and environmental education. Her Learning Goal investigates how misconceptions about sharks impact marine ecosystems, and how scientific knowledge and technology can support safer human-shark relationships.
“I chose this goal because it aligns with my career aspirations of marine ecology and enables me to delve deeper into this interest,” Myf explains. “It is also a very relevant topic to society today as sharks are a somewhat regular topic reported on by the media.”
Throughout her project, Myf has interviewed leading shark scientists, including Dr Michael Drew, Dr Charlie Huveneers and Dr Brianna Le Busque, while also surveying members of the wider community to better understand public perceptions surrounding sharks.
“One of the steps I am most proud of is my interview with marine Ecologist and leader of the Southern Shark Ecology Group (SSEG), Dr Charlie Huveneers,” Myf says. “I am so grateful to have had this opportunity, because he is a well-known expert in his field.”
Drawing on her previous experience with Arch D Radio and Podcasting at SAC, Myf plans to transform her research into a podcast episode using the College’s podcasting facilities. Her final output will combine expert interviews, research findings and storytelling to educate listeners about sharks and marine conservation.
Myf exploring the intersection of communication technologies, marine ecology and environmental education through her AIF project
Meanwhile, Aurelia has used AIF as an opportunity to explore social impact through an interior design project connected to her Sri Lankan heritage. Her Learning Goal focuses on redesigning a rural classroom in her hometown of Mediwake, Sri Lanka, by blending modern educational design with traditional Sri Lankan aesthetics.
Aurelia working with students as part of her AIF project, focused on redesigning a rural classroom in Mediwake, Sri Lanka
“I chose this Learning Goal because I wanted to use creative skills to make a real-life difference for children in the school of my hometown,” Aurelia explains.
Her project involved researching classroom design, colour palettes, batik art and culturally responsive learning environments, while also consulting with community members and interior design professionals.
“Along the way, I discovered the importance of designing for the users, balancing creativity with practicality, and how different perspectives can strengthen a final design,” Aurelia explains.
Aurelia’s final output will showcase before-and-after redesign concepts demonstrating how thoughtful design can create more functional, welcoming and inspiring spaces for learning.
Another student, Raven, has embraced AIF as a way to combine entrepreneurship and community impact through a handmade craft market stall. Her Learning Goal focused on gaining skills in designing, planning, pricing, marketing, production and communication.
Raven bringing creativity and purpose together through her AIF project
“I was inspired by my love for crafts and friends of mine who also sell handmade products,” Raven explains.
To support her learning, Raven sought feedback from the school community through surveys and interviewed people working in related industries to gain valuable perspectives and advice. Raven also implemented detailed planning strategies to help manage her time and priorities effectively.
“To make my goal obtainable I made a detailed time management plan as well as creating to do lists and keeping track of what had been done and what was high priority,” she says.
Raven’s final output was the market stall itself, at school during Week 1, which involved creating handmade products, advertising the stall and researching the interests of the school community. The project developed her practical business and communication skills, while allowing her to give back to causes close to her heart.
“The stall was very successful with all profits going towards charity,” Raven says. “Overall, around $130 was split between Mercy Works and the Cancer Council.”
Across each project, AIF is enabling students to move beyond traditional classroom learning and engage with real-world questions, challenges, solutions and aspirations. Whether designing robotic technology, exploring marine conservation, transforming educational spaces across the globe, or launching charitable creative ventures, SAC students are developing the confidence, curiosity and critical thinking needed to inspire futures bright futures.
Ms Maddie Kelly
Communications Officer
From the Visual Arts Coordinator
Visual Arts Coordinator
Art Club Gets Creative with Textile Artist Tikari Rigney
Over the past month, our after school Art Club has had the pleasure of working with talented textile artist Tikari Rigney. A proud Kaurna, Narrungga and Ngarrindjeri person, Tikari brought creativity, energy and a fresh perspective to each session, inspiring students to explore new ideas.
Students were introduced to sewing and embroidery, stepping into a new medium and building both skills and confidence along the way. Across the sessions, they experimented with a range of stitches, fabrics and techniques, discovering that creativity doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Instead, they were encouraged to take risks, try new approaches and enjoy the process.
Many students spoke about how freeing this experience felt. As Anveksha shared, “While sewing, I learned that mistakes didn't matter, in fact, they made the piece better and more personal.”
Catherine also found inspiration in the experience, saying, “I loved looking at Tikari's past works and how they used different stitches. I believe this has driven me to become really interested in both embroidery and stitching.”
The positive and supportive atmosphere made a lasting impression. Matilda explained, “Working with Tikari has been a wonderful experience and gave us all some insight into the mind of a true artist, as well as a safe space to experiment with a different medium. Their bright personality made it a fun, stress-free experience that embraced mistakes and encouraged creativity.”
For others, the highlight was the freedom to create independently. Allegra reflected, “I have enjoyed working with Tikari, their art and use of sewing truly inspires me. During sessions they have taught us the basics of sewing and I love the freedom I am given to make whatever I want with the fabrics.”
The beautiful pieces created by students will be on display in the Foyer Gallery in Term 3.
We sincerely thank Tikari for sharing her time, skills and enthusiasm with our students, it has been a truly rewarding experience for all involved.
Ms Michelle Barratt
Visual Arts Coordinator
Students Reflected
"While sewing, I learned that mistakes didn't matter, in fact, they made the piece better and more personal." Anveksha 8AM
"I loved looking at Tikari's past works and how they used different stitches. I believe this has driven me to become really interested in both embroidery and stitching." Catherine 9IB
"Working with Tikari has been a wonderful experience and gave us all some insight into the mind of a true artist as well as a safe space to experiment with a different media. Their bright personality made it a fun, stress-free experience that embraced mistakes and encouraged creativity." Matilda 8AM
"I have enjoyed working with Tikari, their art and use of sewing truly inspires me. During sessions they have taught us the basics of sewing and I love the freedom I am given to make whatever I want with the fabrics." Allegra 9JB
From the Drama Department
Drama Coordinator
Trophy Boys at the State Theatre
Our Year 12 Drama students made their way to the Space Theatre at the Adelaide Festival Centre to experience Trophy Boys, the razor-sharp black comedy by playwright Emmanuelle Mattana, presented by State Theatre.
Set on the biggest night of College’s academic calendar, the Grand Final of the Year 12 Interschool Debating Tournament, the play unfolds entirely in real time. The debate team from an elite all-boys school are locked in a classroom during their one-hour prep window, tasked with arguing that "feminism has failed women." What begins as competitive posturing quickly spirals into something far darker and more revealing.
One of the production's most electrifying choices is its casting: the show is performed by a female and non-binary cast, a decision that had our students leaning forward from the very first scene. The transformations were bold, committed and wickedly funny, showcasing just how much power a performer holds when physicality and character truly align.
Fast, funny and sharp, Trophy Boys examined insecure adolescent masculinity, entitlement, and the ego of Australia's next generation of powerbrokers and politicians. These boys are popular, sporty and admired, but the play peels back that polished surface with gleeful, uncomfortable precision.
The writing crackles with wit, the performances are electric, and the staging is brilliantly claustrophobic, everything contained within a single room, yet never once feeling small. The production takes audiences on a rollercoaster of emotions in a tight seventy minute running time, which flew by in the best possible way. There were moments of genuine laughter, moments of uneasy silence, and moments where the audience collectively held its breath.
For our St Aloysius students, it was a front-row seat to contemporary Australian theatre at its most fearless, the kind of production that reminds you why live performance is unlike anything else. The students left the theatre animated and already deep in discussion, which is perhaps the greatest compliment any play can receive.
A heartfelt thank you to our school for making this excursion possible. Plays like this one don't just inform our study of drama, they ignite a genuine love of it.
Mr Tom Coultas
Drama Coordinator
Students Reflected
"I really enjoyed the overall rawness of each character's emotions that was portrayed within the play. I love the fact they vocalised these important issues in the production that the mainstream media mostly overlooks. Overall I thought the play was excellent and educational. I loved it" - Mattie Year 10
"I really love the production which I thought encapsulates many of the issues that men and women face within our society. Trophy Boys showed that it's not just women who suffer under the patriarchy but men as well." - Teah Year 12
"I loved how the play Trophy Boys explores how misogyny can affect young men in today's society. Although confronting, the effect that misogyny has upon women was also at the centre of this production. Despite the challenging issues it was a very entertaining production." - Sophie Year 12
YEAR 11 DRAMA NIGHT - HOW TO SURVIVE BEING IN A SHAKESPEARE PLAY
The Year 11 Drama students presented How to Survive Being in a Shakespeare Play by Don Zolidis, a fast-paced comedy that takes everything you think you know about Shakespeare and turns it completely on its head. In Shakespeare’s world, drama is inevitable, misunderstandings are constant… and let’s be honest, survival rates are not great. But what if those characters had just made slightly better decisions? What if they had listened more carefully, trusted the right people, or simply avoided the obvious danger?
This play explored exactly that, offering a humorous “guide” to surviving some of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, featuring characters you may recognise, but not quite as you remember them. The Year 11 Drama cast has worked incredibly hard to bring this playful, chaotic, and self-aware piece to life, and everyone enjoyed the twists, the humour, and the many questionable life choices along the way.
Sophie Calder
Year 12 Drama Leader
Year 5 Botanic Gardens Excursion
The Year 5 students embarked on an exciting excursion to the majestic Botanic Gardens on 7 April, where they deepened their understanding of plant and animal adaptations. Guided by the wonderfully entertaining Phil, students were captivated by his extensive knowledge of how plants and animals are interconnected and rely on one another for propagation.
From learning about “bat spat” to exploring the impressive spikes of the giant Amazon Lily, students were fascinated by the unique ways living things adapt to survive. Within the Botanic Gardens, students experienced a variety of biomes, from desert landscapes to lush rainforests and woodlands, making the day both immersive and highly enjoyable.
This hands-on experience brought our Science unit to life, reinforcing students’ understanding of adaptations and what animals need to survive and thrive within their specific biome.
Year 5 Teachers
St Capitanio Study Tour: Building Connections
Last term we were delighted to welcome 24 students from St Capitanio Girls High School in Japan as part of our Study Tour program. Hosted by our Year 9 and 10 students, the visit was a wonderful experience for all involved, with classrooms filled with laughter as our Japanese visitors connected with their Australian classmates and learned about school life in Australia.
Across the three weeks, strong friendships formed and a genuine appreciation for each other’s cultures grew. Highlights included time spent in the primary classrooms, where students shared laughter and learning, as well as engaging presentations about Japan by our St Capitanio students. The visit concluded with a fun filled farewell pizza party and a heartfelt farewell ceremony, where students came together to reflect on their time and say goodbye.
Throughout the program, our students enjoyed sharing life at SAC while also gaining insight into the experiences and interests of their Japanese peers. It was a meaningful exchange, with both groups learning from one another.
“These three weeks have been fantastic and filled with so many great conversations, and we are all very sad to see you go.” Aamina (Year 10)
The success of the tour was made possible by the warm welcome shown by our students and staff. A special thank you to our student buddies, whose care and commitment helped create such positive and memorable experiences for our visitors. Although it was difficult to say goodbye, the friendships and memories formed over the past few weeks will stay with our students for a long time. We thank the St Capitanio students for being such a valued part of our community and wish them a safe journey home. The connections made during this time will be remembered by all.
Ms Michelle Barratt
Study Tours Coordinator
Our First Two SAC Stories Episodes Are live now! 🎬
This student-led series is all about sharing the voices, moments, and stories that make our community so special. Tune in and celebrate this students’ space with us!
👉 Click here to watch Episode 2
👉 Click here to watch Episode 1
Hands-On Tourism Experiences
The Year 11’s travelled to Hahndorf by bus to evaluate tourist experiences. It was a glorious Autumn Day to visit the Hahndorf Donkey Discovery, and the Hamdorf cafe. At the Hahndorf Donkey Discovery students were able to learn about donkey behaviour, groom and pat them and learn about the value of equine therapy for emotional regulation. Donkeys are highly intelligent animals with a naturally calm and patient demeanour. They form strong emotional bonds within their herd and with humans, making them a joyful presence to interact with. We then walked down to the Hamdorf Café to learn about guinea pigs. The café is run by AHH Life skills and promotes opportunities for people with disability to participate in supported employment alongside mentors and micro business enterprises. After enjoying a tasty lunch, we received an informative talk about what the café has to offer along with opportunities to become a mentor for a person with a disability. Then we interacted with the guinea pigs in their miniature Hamdorf village before some sightseeing and returning to school. Students will create a magazine article in the style of SA Life to demonstrate their learning.
Ms Louise Umehara & Ms Lisa Harris
English Teachers
Year 6 Brings Australia’s Migration History to Life
Year 6 students have been exploring Australia’s migration history, bringing their learning to life through interactive technologies like Scratch and Makey Makey. Their projects—ranging from detailed artefacts to creative artworks—showcase a strong understanding of cultural diversity and respect for different nationalities. We are incredibly proud of their effort and delighted to share their achievements with families recently.
Primary Sport Coordinator
Ms Zoe Duffy
Primary Sport Coordinator
It has been a fantastic start to the term for primary sport, with plenty of opportunities for students to get involved, stay active, and represent our school with pride.
Soccer
Our Year 3/4 soccer season is underway and what an exciting start it was! For many, this was their first taste of interschool sport, and despite initial nerves and excitement, it was wonderful to see their confidence grow throughout their first game. Our Year 3s were in an intense battle against Loreto (Year 4s) which ended in a 5-0 loss, while our Year 4s had a nail biting draw against Seymour. Best of luck for the rest of the season!
Netball
Our Year 5/6 Netballers were due to participate in the SAPSASA North Eastern Netball Carnival which unfortunately was cancelled due to inclement weather. The carnival will be rescheduled for a later date where our Term 2 Netball Teams and Year 5/6 Knockout Netball Team will compete. Please keep an eye out on emails for information on the upcoming date! Good luck to our Term 2 Netball Teams as they participate in the Thundercup season throughout the term.
Come 'n' Try Sport
Looking ahead, our Come and Try sport sessions begin in Week 3. We hope our reception students enjoy gymnastics, Year 1s gain soccer skills and our Year 1-3 students enjoy learning all about lacrosse!
SACPSSA Leadership Day
Our Year 6 Sport Leaders participated in the SACPSSA Leadership Day run by ACHPER on Tuesday in Week 2. Students took part in an engaging leadership workshop to build confidence, teamwork, and positive role‑model skills. We look forward to seeing them put their new skills into practice as they continue to positively influence Primary Sport at SAC.
As the term continues we will be busy with Knockout Sport, including AFL and Soccer teams who will compete in round 1 as well as our Term 2 Sport teams. Good luck to all students involved.
Ms Zoe Duffy
Primary Sport Coordinator
From the Music Department
Music Coordinator
Last weekend, 43 St Aloysius students, from 3 ensembles travelled to Mount Gambier to participate in Generations in Jazz - and what an incredible weekend it was!
With over 5,000 students from across Australia and New Zealand taking part, it is one of the largest jazz education events in the Southern Hemisphere - and we are proud to say that our students represented us brilliantly on and off the stage.
Some notable achievements from the weekend include:
- Catch 22 placing 2nd in Division 2 Large Vocal
- 3 Stage Band members being selected for the Division 3.2 Super Band – Daisy on Alto Saxophone 1, Imogen on Tenor Saxophone 1 and Gianna on Trumpet 1
- The Jazz Choir Alto Section named Best Alto Section, Division 3.2 Large
Beyond the results, our students had a fabulous weekend soaking up the atmosphere, hearing outstanding performances from bands and choirs from across the country, and enjoying an unforgettable Tower of Power concert.
We couldn't be prouder of every single one of our 43 students - their dedication, participation, and performances this weekend were something special. Congratulations to all involved!
Ms Fiona Turner
Music Coordinator
SAC’s Colour Fun Run is just one week away! 🎉 💜💛💙💚💖
Help us raise funds for Mercy projects, including Catherine House, The Adelaide Day Centre, and The Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre. Every donation, big or small, will make a real difference. Sharing the link with others is also a great help!
Let’s come together as a community and support this important cause. Parents and family members are warmly welcome to join us on the day!
Donate here: https://gofund.me/596d838bc
