Principal

Dear Members of the Academy Community,

The past week has seen the deaths of two prominent Australians – Neale Daniher and Richard Scolyer - both men acknowledged as  Australians of the Year, both men skilled in their particular area of endeavour who have worked unceasingly, despite their aggressive and terminal illnesses, to make a difference in the world.  May they now rest in peace following their labours in shaping a better world.  

The inspirational  words of Richard Scolyer provide a challenge for us all:

“I have always been driven by the belief that we all have a responsibility to try to change the future for others and leave the world a better place”. 

And, as I reflect on the contribution of these men, I acknowledge that there are so many in our world who, in their own quiet unseen ways, are making their particular world a better place.  That is what we constantly encourage in our students – an understanding that they can make a difference through living lives of hope, justice and joy –  living Mercy purposefully and passionately. 

This week two of our Year 12 students, Zoe Dafnias, Co College Captain  and Charlotte Berryman, Co Justice Captain were interviewed about what it means to “Live Mercy Purposefully".   This was a project of the Sisters of Mercy which focused on how the call of Mercy may differ depending on one’s stage of life.  To this end, a video will be released  with the reflections of young people (Zoe and Charlotte) and both a middle aged person and a senior person.  We thank Zoe and Charlotte for their involvement in this initiative  and look forward to listening to their thoughts.

The last couple of weeks of Term Two are, I believe, the most challenging weeks of the year.   For our senior students,  exams permeate the week including the all important GAT experience.  For all staff and students the weather is cold and the holidays are beckoning.

It is wonderful though to see the ongoing commitment of both staff and students as they navigate these last weeks of term with resilience and determination.   Likewise, it is heartwarming to see the constancy of the involvement of students in their many and varied projects.

And finally, you would all be aware that Pope Leo in his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity”) focussed on a potent metaphor:

“We can either  build the tower of Babel, that ultimate symbol for human hubris in which technology is used in an attempt to reach heaven without God’s assistance or blessing, or we can build the city in which we dwell with God and with one another in all life’s fullness.”

Every Blessing.

Sr Mary Moloney rsm 

Principal