St Aloysius Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends and Students of SAC,

The past fortnight has provided many opportunities to celebrate all that makes our College community so special. From significant faith milestones and community gatherings to student achievement, leadership and staff formation, we have witnessed the many ways our students and staff continue to live our Mercy values through faith, service, connection and participation.

Last Wednesday evening, 15 students from our College community received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. Supported by their families, sponsors and friends, they celebrated an important milestone in their faith journey. We congratulate these students and pray that they continue to be strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We are grateful to our Director of Faith and Mission, Genevieve Pelekani, and Director of Teaching and Learning – Primary, Viviana Graney, for their leadership and support in preparing students and families for this special occasion. Our thanks also to the Primary Choir, led by Maddie Binney, Olivia Spadavecchia and Sasha Champion, whose beautiful music helped make the celebration so special.

A Milestone in Faith

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Athletics Carnival Spirit and Sportsmanship

Another memorable event over the past fortnight was our Athletics Carnival. Students and staff came together to enjoy a wonderful day of perfect weather, enthusiastic participation and plenty of House spirit.

Congratulations to St Teresa on taking out this year's Athletics Carnival. While House pride was certainly evident, what stood out most was the way students supported and encouraged one another, regardless of the event or result. My thanks to the staff, Sport Leaders, the PE Faculty and our PE Coordinator, Ms Glennon for their organisation and commitment to ensuring such a successful day.

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Last Friday morning, we welcomed a large gathering of fathers, grandfathers and significant male role models for our annual Father's Day Breakfast. It was wonderful to see so many members of our community come together to celebrate the important role these individuals play in the lives of our students. Thank you to everyone who attended and to the staff involved in making the morning such a special occasion for our community. We hope all the significant men in our students' lives enjoyed a wonderful day on Sunday.

A Special Breakfast Celebration

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A Proud Moment: Aamina's Journey from State Finals to Nationals

We are also delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Aamina, who after winning First Prize at the PESA State Finals, advanced to the National Finals held on Wednesday. Aamina's achievement of competing at the national level is a testament to her hard work, perseverance and dedication. We congratulate her on this outstanding accomplishment and are immensely proud of all she has achieved.

Aamina receiving the award from PESA SA Coordinator - Julie Gameau

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Earlier this week, our staff joined with fellow Mercy communities from Mercedes College, St Francis de Sales College and St Raphael's School for a day of prayer, reflection and connection. Enjoying the hospitality of our Mt Barker colleagues, we reflected on the theme Faith, Hope and Love. Keynote speaker Br David Hall encouraged us to deepen our understanding of the Mercy charism and consider how these values continue to guide our relationships, our teaching and the way we support the young people in our care.

As we move closer to the end of the term, I am grateful for the many ways our students, staff and families contribute to the life of our College community each day.

Ms Jacqui Mcilroy
Acting Principal

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Secondary Sporting Spotlight!

We saw some outstanding performances at our St Aloysius Athletics Carnival a couple of weeks ago, and after reviewing results for track and field events, would like to recognize students who have broken records. We congratulate the new SAC Athletics Carnival record-holders for the following events.

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Indigenous Literacy Day

On Wednesday, 2 September, we celebrated Indigenous Literacy Day, a day dedicated to recognising and celebrating the languages, stories, cultures, and communities of First Nations peoples. It is an important opportunity to share knowledge, learn from one another, and continue to strengthen understanding and appreciation of First Nations cultures. This year's theme, "Country is our Teacher," encouraged us to reflect on the deep connection First Nations peoples have with Country. We explored where we come from, the lands we are connected to, our special totems, and Dreaming stories that are meaningful to us. Through these conversations, we hoped to give primary students a greater understanding of who we are as First Nations people and the cultural connections that shape our identities.

To celebrate the day, our First Nations secondary students created presentations about themselves and their cultural backgrounds. They shared where their mobs are from, their connections to Country and community, and stories that have had a special impact on them. Following the presentations, the students read books from our library written by First Nations authors that explored themes of Country, culture, and identity. Primary First Nations students were also given the opportunity to share their own stories and experiences.

Within the neighbourhoods’ students answered thoughtful questions from the younger girls and engaged in meaningful conversations about culture, identity, and belonging. It was wonderful to see students coming together to learn from one another. Watching our secondary students proudly share their culture and experiences helped build understanding and created a space where students felt comfortable asking questions and deepening their knowledge of First Nations perspectives. 

Ms India Bament-Sitkowski
First Nations Student Support Officer

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Young People of Mercy Connect Across Borders

More than 200 students from over 20 Mercy-affiliated schools across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea have come together this year for the inaugural virtual Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association (AMSSA) Student Conference. 

Held across four gatherings in Terms 1, 2 and 3, the conference created a new space for young people within the Mercy tradition to meet, share ideas and explore what it means to live Mercy in the world today. 

For students at St Aloysius College, the experience offered both a window into the wider Mercy community and an opportunity to recognise that the values they encounter each day at SAC belong to a much larger story. 

The Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association (AMSSA) connects secondary schools across Australia and the Australasian region that share in the Mercy tradition, inspired by Catherine McAuley. 

While each Mercy school has its own history, community and local context, AMSSA provides opportunities for school staff and students to strengthen their shared Mercy identity through building relationships, and supporting young people to recognise their own place within a living tradition of the Mercy values. 

The 2026 AMSSA Student Conference deepened that connection. Under the overarching theme Shining Lamps: Be the Light of Mercy, students gathered virtually on four occasions throughout the year, while also participating in activities and conversations within their own local school communities. 

Each gathering explored a different dimension of Mercy: turning compassion into action, carrying Catherine McAuley’s legacy forward as young people, responding to injustice, and considering the kind of Mercy leaders students hope to become beyond school. 

For Year 11 SAC students, Myf and Gianna, one of the most powerful parts of the experience was discovering how much they shared with students they had never met. 

“We felt a true sense of connection with other Mercy schools and students, seeing that despite physical distances between us, we are united by the same values and visions for our communities.” 

They said the experience strengthened their understanding that Mercy reaches well beyond the boundaries of any individual school. 

“Having access to this opportunity has helped us learn that Mercy isn’t school specific and meaningful change can begin with small actions.” 

Technology played an important role in making these connection possible. 

Students were able to collaborate locally with fellow Mercy-affiliated schools in Adelaide and Adelaide Hills, before joining young people from communities across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. 

Year 10 student, Aamina, said the experience gave her a greater appreciation of both the diversity and connectedness of the Mercy community. 

“The connection to Mercy values was threaded through every session, and the whole experience gave the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself.” 

For Jemima, Year 11, hearing from other schools nationally and internationally also broadened her understanding of what Mercy can look like in different communities. 

“Speaking to and collaborating with people outside our typical SAC community helped me to see different perspectives and extend my understanding of what Mercy really looks like.” 

Rather than gathering for a single event, the virtual conference unfolded over several months. This allowed students to return to their own communities between sessions, reflect on what they had heard and consider how ideas might translate into action in their respective contexts. 

Across the four gatherings, students heard from speakers representing different generations and experiences of Mercy leadership. 

Sr Annette Schneider RSM delivered the keynote for the first gathering at St Francis de Sales College, followed by Catherine Edwards, a lawyer and Old Scholar of Mercedes College for Session 2, the Sr Sheila Curran RSM who delivered a virtual presentation from Ireland for Session 3. SAC Old Scholar and present JAM and SACOSA Coordinator, Maddie Kelly, delivered the final keynote at St Francis de Sales College in August, explaining how her experience of Mercy education empowered and sustained her during her work in Tanzania for more than 5 years. 

Catherine and Maddie also shared how their own involvement with Young Mercy Links SA opened unexpected pathways; especially for Catherine, who completed an internship at the United Nations in New York. 

These stories offered students tangible examples of where a commitment to Mercy and justice can lead. 

Across the conference, however, a consistent message emerged: living Mercy does not necessarily begin with extraordinary achievements. It begins in the choices young people make in their own relationships, schools and communities. 

As Aamina reflected: 

“AMSSA taught us that Mercy in action doesn’t have to mean headlines or life changing events, because most of the time, the seemingly smallest actions make the largest impacts.” 

For students at St Aloysius College, these conversations are closely connected with the College’s Justice and Mercy (JAM) Program, through which students are encouraged to encounter their community, engage with issues of justiceand put the Mercy values into action. 

The conclusion of the AMSSA Student Conference does not mark the end of that conversation. 

On September 10, Year 11 student, Angelique, and Year 7 student, Saxby, represented SAC at the Mercy Ministry Companions Conference in Melbourne, where they spoke alongside Maddie Kelly about their experiences of the JAM Program and the role young people can play in turning encounter into positive change. 

"This opportunity felt deeply meaningful, because I wasn’t just sharing my ideas about youth in social justice, I was standing in a room where my own passion, voice, and the Mercy values that shaped me finally came to life," said Angelique.

Saxby explained to the audience that, included leaders across Mercy education, health and community services, "one thing I hope adults understand about young people and Mercy is that not all students are glued to their phone and scrolling through social media. There are students wanting to make relationships to help make change. 

Angelique and Saxby's participation provides another link between the Mercy formation taking place within SAC, and the wider network of people and ministries carrying the Mercy tradition forward. 

One of the central ideas explored during the final AMSSA gathering, and upon which Saxby and Angelique reflected in preparation for their Mercy Ministry Companions workshop, was simple yet important: What kind of Mercy leader do I want to be? 

It is a question without a single answer. 

For some students, leadership may mean advocacy or service. For others, it may be noticing someone who is excluded, speaking when something is unjust, offering hospitality, caring for the environment or simply choosing compassion when it would be easier not to. 

As Jemima reflected after participating in the AMSSA conference, the Mercy values have taught her that making a difference does not require doing everything at once. 

“Any small act can have a huge impact… reaching out to help one step at a time.” 

Across more than 20 schools, four gatherings and thousands of kilometres, the inaugural AMSSA Student Conference offered young people the chance to discover that they are not carrying that responsibility alone. 

They are part of a much wider community, connected by a Mercy story that began with Catherine McAuley and continues to be written by the young people who choose to live it today. 

Ms Maddie Kelly
Justice and Mercy Coordinator

Year 11 student Angelique and Year 7 student Saxby representing SAC at the Mercy Ministry Companions Conference in Melbourne, alongside Mr Tattoli, Ms Maddie Kelly and Sister of Mercy Frances

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Art, Language and a Little French Flair

The Year 10 French students set off on an adventure to the Art Gallery of South Australia. Our group were excited to see some of the famous artworks we have been studying in real life - including one of Monet's famous water lillies! In class, we have been learning about French artists and famous art movements that have left an imprint on France and the world. The Monet to Matisse exhibition covers a range of works from impressionism, cubism, surrealism and abstract expressionism, with some famous French names such as Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Our French-speaking guide gave us the rundown of some of these artworks in French, testing our listening skills, and giving us the chance to practice our describing skills when answering questions. All in all, a very enriching French experience was had. A lucky few even spotted a crêpe cart on the way back to school - well, when on a French excursion!

Ms Anne-Marie Prior
French Teacher

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Celebrating Generosity at Catholic Charities Thanksgiving Mass

Our school is a proud supporter of Catholic Charities, whose agencies provide much-needed assistance to those in need. Our Primary JAM and Year 10 SRC representatives attended the Catholic Charities Thanksgiving Mass, alongside our Senior Choir, who sang beautifully at the event. The Mass celebrated the generosity of our Catholic community, while the expo on the Cathedral lawns gave students the opportunity to learn more about the important work these agencies do to support vulnerable people across South Australia.

Students reflected:

"The activities at the expo were fun and a good way to connect the agencies and what they do." Amelia (Primary JAM)

"I enjoyed learning about the work the agencies in Catholic Charities do." Maryam (Primary JAM)

"I like how the community and different schools were gathered together in one place for a common cause." Sharvi (Primary JAM)

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Shining at the Frayne Speech Festival

Last month, SAC joined 12 other Mercy Schools to compete in a day of Debating and Public Speaking at the Frayne Speech Festival held at St Aloysius College in Melbourne.  This annual event honours the legacy of Mother Ursula Frayne, an extraordinary Sister of Mercy, leader and educator who opened the first Australian Mercy School in 1846.

The debating team performed exceptionally well across all the debates. In the first debate, they tackled a challenging economics topic; that a windfall tax should not be introduced in Australia. They used specific and credible evidence from sources such as the OECD, Treasury and the Productivity Commission. They were well prepared and confident speakers, winning the debate by 7 points.

They also achieved success in their second debate, arguing that private schools should be abolished! The adjudicator praised the team’s clear structure, strong rebuttals and effective transitions. Their use of relevant examples and statistics strengthened their arguments, and their cohesive and well-developed discussion of the impacts was particularly impressive.

The team then progressed to the Final and came Runner Up. Saachi Sooraj was also awarded Best Overall Speaker of the competition, recognising her outstanding individual performance.

The Public Speaking component of the competition provided an opportunity for students to speak up on a range of important issues such as mental health and gender imbalance.

“Travelling to Melbourne for debating was a really valuable experience. It gave me the opportunity to compete against new schools and meet other students across Australia. I was able to develop my confidence, communication and ability to think quickly under pressure.” Saachi S

“I learnt so much, met so many new people, and made so many special memories…and am excited to continue working on my debating!” Leila M

“Reaching the final was a highlight, because we had to prepare our arguments in just under an hour. This challenged us to think quickly and adapt to new information. Taking part in Frayne was an incredibly exciting and rewarding opportunity.” Gianna D

"Attending the Frayne Speech Festival gave me an incredible opportunity to meet new people and go out of my comfort zone. The whole process, from writing and memorising my speech, to presenting it and hearing all the incredible speeches from other people, taught me many things and I grew a lot as a person!" Aamina D

"I gained knowledge on unique topics and made many new connections along the way. This trip grew my own public speaking confidence, and I learnt to always be prepared to ‘give it a go.’" Madison M

Ms Lucyna Zwolski and Ms Lucy Combe
Frayne Festival Coordinators

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Economics in Action at Adelaide Zoo

Stage 1 Economics students recently visited Adelaide Zoo to put their knowledge of economic theory into practice. Students explored how the zoo allocates scarce resources, including labour, capital, land and entrepreneurship, and considered the opportunity costs and trade-offs involved in its decision-making.

They also examined the role of government grants and subsidies, as well as the importance of revenue from admissions, memberships and venue hire in supporting the zoo’s operations and conservation projects.

Students applied their learning by creating economic graphs, including production possibility curves and demand and supply diagrams, to investigate how attractions and animal experiences, such as the Giant Pandas, can influence visitor numbers.

The excursion provided students with a valuable opportunity to see economics in action while enjoying the zoo’s animals, exhibits and beautiful surroundings. It was a fun and engaging day that brought classroom learning to life.

Student reflected:

"Our zoo excursion was a fun experience that allowed us to understand how economic concepts are applied in real-world businesses." Olivia J

"It was interesting to look at businesses from a different, economic perspective and to understand what goes on in the background in order to run the Zoo. We had so much fun visiting the animals and learning about what it takes to look after them." Lavender M

Ms Lucyna Zwolski
Teacher

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Reaching for the Stars at the Space Discovery Centre

Year 6 students recently enjoyed an exciting excursion to the Adelaide Space Discovery Centre, linking directly to our current Science unit on Space, focusing on the Earth, Sun and Moon. Students explored interactive exhibits and experienced simulated rocket launches, helping them develop a deeper understanding of space exploration and how technology is used to study our universe.

A highlight of the day was the opportunity to view and handle a range of space-related items, including space food and prototype satellite models used to represent space stations. These hands-on experiences brought our classroom learning to life and inspired students to think about the important role science and innovation play in exploring beyond Earth. The students represented our school exceptionally well and approached the day with enthusiasm and curiosity. 

Ms Michaela Farrugia
Year 6 Teacher

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Year 2's Big Day Out at Adelaide Oval

As part of their HASS learning, our Year 2 students enjoyed an exciting excursion to Adelaide Oval. They loved exploring the iconic scoreboard, touring the locker rooms, and learning about the history of this important South Australian landmark. A highlight of the day was running up the players’ ramp as if they were about to take the field, while hearing the roar of a full stadium crowd. It was a fun and memorable experience that brought classroom learning to life!

Year 2 Teachers

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