Principal

Dear Members of the Academy Community,

As I write, we have moved into Holy Week and Term One is drawing to a close.  It has been a very happy and fulfilling term. 

Our Year 7 students are now well settled into the College community and are already making their own contributions to the Academy. We have been very impressed by their work ethic and their involvement in Academy life. 

On the other end of the spectrum our Year 12 students are applying themselves to their studies but, in doing so, they have not neglected involvement in College life.  I pay particular tribute to the work of the Senior Student Leadership Team who are continually reflecting on our College theme “Many Voices ONE Community” and identifying various ways of living this theme. Already our senior leaders are working together to organise a whole school event in acknowledgement of the theme. This event will take the form of two cultural days where we will celebrate, through dance, music, food and dress, the many cultures that make up our diverse Academy community.

Earlier on this term, in recognition of International Women’s Day, the student leaders asked the college community to identify a significant woman in their lives.  It was lovely to read the many comments which identified “my sister” or “my mother” as the most significant woman in their lives.  I look forward to seeing further initiatives from our student leadership team.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the Autumn Soiree where the extraordinary talents of our students were showcased in the magnificent acoustics of the Ursula Frayne Memorial Chapel. Voices soared and music reverberated throughout the Chapel much to the delight of an appreciative audience of parents, family members.  I take this opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary work of our Performing Arts department and I strongly encourage  all of you to attend any of the performing arts events scheduled for the year.

Yesterday our end of term assembly took place and during this Assembly we welcomed three representatives from the Catholic Development Fund, Brendan Hoy (General Manager Client Services), Aaron Gupta (Relationship Manager) and Michelle Ross-Fitzgerald (Event Coordinator) who officially acknowledged Year 11 student, Harriet Berman, who was the very worthy recipient of the Father James Wall Bursary Award. Congratulations to Harriet!

Students finish for the term on Wednesday 5 April with staff participating in a spirituality day the following day, Holy Thursday.  The focus of the spirituality day is “Social justice – the Catholic Church’s best kept secret” and we are delighted that Sr Sally Bradley and Ms Jo Casamento from Mercy Works will be presenting to the staff on that day.

Last Thursday we were privileged to be invited to hold the funeral service for Sr Denise Doyle in our Chapel. Sr Denise was a former Principal of the Academy, 1984 – 1986 – an extraordinary woman who gave of herself tirelessly in a time of significant educational change.  Staff and students from both Academy and Sacred Heart College Kyneton, schools where Sr Denise was Principal,  formed a guard of honour as the coffin left the Chapel.

May Sr Denise now rest in peace in the arms of the God of Mercy.

I wish you all safe and happy holidays and encourage you all to take some time to reflect on the Easter story and on Jesus, the living face of the Mercy of God.  Be open to be touched by the risen Jesus.  May the Easter season be a time of peace, joy and special blessings for all..

Every blessing,

Sr Mary Moloney rsm 

Principal

Religious Learning Leader, Hannah Hale, reflected on the importance of Prayer in her life.  Perhaps something to read in a quiet moment over the Easter period.