Around the College

Students and staff from across the Diocese gathered at St Mel’s Parish Catholic Church for the Catholic Education Sandhurst Mass for Healing and Justice. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Brian Boyle and provided an important opportunity for our communities to come together in prayer, reflection, and commitment to reconciliation.

This year's National Reconciliation Week theme, “All In,” encourages all Australians to actively contribute to reconciliation and to work together towards a more just and inclusive future. The congregation was privileged to hear from guest speaker Tanika Thornton, who shared valuable insights and reflections aligned with the theme.

Schools from throughout the Diocese participated in the service, demonstrating a shared commitment to healing, justice, and reconciliation. We extend a special thank you to Jayden A, Lara S, Flyn K-H, and Catherine W for their participation in the Mass and for representing our school with pride.

Congratulations also to all students who were selected to attend on the day. They demonstrated outstanding respect and reverence throughout the service and were excellent ambassadors for our school community.

We thank Catholic Education Sandhurst, Fr Brian Boyle, Tanika Thornton, and St Mel’s Parish for hosting this meaningful celebration and for providing an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing journey of reconciliation.

Students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 11 made a meaningful contribution to this year’s observance of National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week by helping create a series of murals displayed around the school. Through their creativity and collaboration, students expressed messages of respect, understanding and hope for reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Australians.

Throughout the week, the St Anne’s community also participated in a daily Prayer of Reconciliation, providing students and staff with an opportunity to reflect on the importance of healing, respect and unity. These moments of prayer encouraged everyone to consider how they can contribute to a more just and inclusive future.

Students further deepened their understanding by watching educational videos that explored Indigenous history, shared Indigenous stories and perspectives, and highlighted aspirations for the future. These learning experiences helped students gain a greater appreciation of the rich cultures, traditions and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The combination of art, prayer and learning provided valuable opportunities for students to engage with the meaning of National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week, fostering awareness, empathy and a commitment to reconciliation within our school community.

Back in May, you may remember that renowned artist Terry Jarvis visited St Anne’s College to share his expertise with our Junior Secondary students through a series of inspiring watercolour workshops.

As Terry guided students through the fundamentals of watercolour painting, he completed several demonstration pieces that showcased his remarkable talent and technique. We are fortunate that Learning Mentor Mark Almond, a talented local artist himself, has carefully framed these works, allowing our community to enjoy and appreciate them.

Terry was also commissioned to create a painting of St Anne’s College, and we are delighted to share that the completed artwork has now arrived. This stunning piece will take pride of place near our Community Lounge, serving as a lasting tribute to our college and its unique spirit.

From Terry: This was a wonderful opportunity to create a watercolour depicting the college and the essence of St Annes's; community, connection and learning combined with parent involvement to the school environment. To be commissioned to visually tell this story and all it embraces was a privilege. Thank you.

We warmly invite members of our community to visit our reception foyer to view Terry’s framed artworks, which are currently on display. In time, these pieces will find permanent homes throughout the college, where they will continue to inspire students, staff and visitors for years to come.

We extend our sincere thanks to Terry for sharing his extraordinary talent with our students and for creating such a beautiful artistic legacy for St Anne’s College.

Our textiles learning space continues to grow thanks to the generosity of our community and the dedication of students who are developing valuable vocational skills through hands-on learning opportunities.

Last year, the Neff family experienced the unexpected passing of their grandmother, a woman who was deeply committed to helping others in need. Many may remember Jorja's inspiring efforts creating and donating beanies to those doing it tough. In honour of their grandmother's memory, the family has generously donated a wonderful collection of textiles materials and equipment to support our program.

These donations will not only help students develop practical sewing and textile skills but will also support projects that give back to the wider community, continuing a legacy of kindness and service. We are incredibly grateful for the amazing items received and know they will be put to great use for many years to come.

A special acknowledgement also goes to Rhiannon, who has played an important role in helping organise and establish the textiles space. Rhiannon is developing valuable workplace and vocational skills through her involvement, contributing to her VCE Vocational Major program. Her work reflects the focus of VCE-VM on building employability skills, community engagement and active volunteering.

Thank you to the Neff family, Rhiannon, and all those who have supported the growth of this exciting learning space. Together, you are helping create opportunities for students to learn new skills, contribute to their community and continue the spirit of helping others.