Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back! I hope you and your family enjoyed a restful break as we launch into the final, exciting term of the school year. Term 4 is always a critical time—full of significant milestones for our students across all year groups.

Principal’s Reflection: Spiritual Renewal on the Pilgrimage of St Paul and the Early Church

I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to have participated in the recent St Paul and the Early Church Pilgrimage. Hosted by His Grace, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, I was privileged to be joined by Ms Danielle Cronin, Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, alongside fellow Principals from right across our Archdiocese.

Retracing the footsteps of St Paul across sacred and historic landscapes where early Christian communities first took root was a truly profound experience. Walking where the Apostles once stood served as a powerful testament to the courage, faith, and conviction that built our Church—enduring values that continue to anchor our community here at the College.

Key Highlights & Spiritual Renewal

Throughout our journey, we were blessed to visit several pivotal sites of our shared faith history:

• In the Footsteps of St Paul: Standing in the ancient cities where St Paul preached offered a tangible connection to his New Testament letters. Reflecting on his unwavering zeal and dedication inspires us to consider how we can continue empowering our students to live out their faith with genuine conviction.
• Shrines of the Early Martyrs: Visiting places dedicated to the earliest witnesses of our faith provided a deeply moving reminder of Christ’s enduring love and the foundational bedrock upon which our Catholic identity is built.
• Shared Prayer & Communion: Celebrating daily Mass together with Archbishop Anthony, Sydney Catholic Schools leadership, and colleague Principals fostered a shared sense of mission, where we held the intentions of our entire school community in daily prayer.

Bringing the Fruits Back to St Aloysius

A pilgrimage is ultimately measured by how its spiritual fruits enrich the community to which we return.

This pilgrimage has strongly reaffirmed our Lasallian Catholic mission: to nurture the hearts and minds of our young people, guiding them to become compassionate, articulate leaders of faith. I look forward to integrating these reflections, insights, and spiritual renewals into our daily College routines, faith formation, and Religious Education curriculum.

My sincere thanks go to Mrs Therese Hughes (Assistant Principal: Mission) and Mr Jon Cullerton (Assistant Principal: College) for their exceptional leadership during my absence, as well as our dedicated staff for ensuring the seamless operation of the school.

Thank you for your prayers and support during this grace-filled journey. It is a joy to be back home serving our College community.

Focus on Year 12 (2026 HSC)

Our Senior Year 12 students have now reached the midpoint of their Higher School Certificate examinations. I extend my sincere appreciation to our dedicated teaching and support staff, who have worked tirelessly to guide, equip, and inspire these young men and women throughout their preparations. We continue to hold our Year 12 cohort in our daily prayers, trusting that their sustained effort, discipline, and diligent study will be richly rewarded with outcomes that reflect their full capabilities.

Launching the HSC Journey for Year 11 (Class of 2027)

It has been a true joy to observe the remarkable focus and maturity displayed by our incoming Year 12 students as they step into senior study this term. Their enthusiastic engagement and earnest commitment to commencing HSC coursework set a wonderfully positive tone for the year ahead.

I must emphasize that consistent daily attendance is vital to achieving HSC excellence. Being present every day ensures students master core concepts and approach their initial December Assessment Block with clarity and confidence. We invite parents to work in partnership with us in fostering this essential commitment to daily learning.

St Aloysius College Student Leaders of 2026!

It is with immense pride and excitement that we introduce the exceptional students who will lead our College community in 2027. These individuals embody the spirit of St Aloysius, demonstrating dedication, integrity, and a commitment to service.

Congratulations to each of them! We know they will lead with distinction and inspire their peers.

Year 7, 8 and 9: Consolidation & Preparation for 2027

Meanwhile, our Year 7, 8 and 9 cohorts are currently completing their final assessment tasks for the year. This period offers an invaluable chance for students to consolidate key learnings and establish robust academic habits in preparation for the coming year.

Save the Date

• Parent-Teacher Interviews: Please mark your calendars for Monday, 14 December (9:00 am – 3:00 pm) for our end-of-year Parent-Teacher Interviews. These discussions offer a wonderful opportunity to reflect on your child's achievements, celebrate strengths, and map out clear goals for a successful transition into 2027.
• Format: Owing to ongoing capital works on campus, interviews will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Information regarding booking appointments will be distributed shortly.

A Note on School Standards: Uniform and Grooming

I ask for your continued support in upholding our high standards of personal presentation. All students are expected to wear the full summer uniform and adhere strictly to College grooming expectations. Wearing our uniform with pride reflects self-discipline and unity within our school community. Please consult the College website for specific details on our uniform policy.

Key Term 4 Events and Orientation Programs

We look forward to welcoming new students into our Lasallian family over the coming weeks through our upcoming orientation programs:

• Year 7 (2027) Orientation Day — Wednesday, 11 November: We are eager to meet our incoming Year 7 students for 2027. This orientation offers an enriching introduction to College life—connecting students with key staff, deepening their understanding of our Lasallian identity, and ensuring a warm, supportive start to secondary schooling.
• Year 11 (2027) Orientation Day — Tuesday, 8 December: A warm welcome awaits our incoming Year 11 students joining us from Our Lady of Mercy College Burraneer and De La Salle College Caringbah. Students will participate in taster lessons, build connections with staff and peers, and experience the rich community spirit of our College as they begin their senior journey.

Update to College Bell Times for 2027

As part of the conditions set by Sutherland Shire Council for the approval of our new building project Development Application (DA), the College will be adjusting its daily bell times starting in Term 1, 2027.

New 2027 Schedule:

• School Commencement: 8:45am (currently 8:35am)

• Dismissal Time: 3:00pm (currently 2:50pm)

   

Please note that our instructional day will remain unchanged. We will continue to operate on our 5 x 60-minute period structure, maintaining a 30-minute Recess and a 30-minute Lunch break.

The full daily timetable breakdown will be published in the 2027 Student Diary and on the Compass portal ahead of the new school year. Thank you for your support and understanding as we take these exciting steps forward with our school infrastructure.

Every Day Counts: The Importance of School Attendance

Our College attendance remains exceptionally strong in comparison across the Archdiocese, and I express my gratitude to families for prioritizing daily participation. However, it is always timely to reflect on the importance of regular attendance:

• Academic & Social Impact: Consistent attendance directly correlates with strong academic performance and healthy social development. Missing regular classes leads to learning gaps and impacts peer relationships.
• Lateness is a Form of Absence: Arriving late creates unnecessary stress and disrupts early instruction. Arriving just ten minutes late throughout the week rapidly equates to over 20 hours of lost learning over the course of an academic year.
• Early Intervention for Attendance Patterns: Our Pastoral Leaders and Middle Managers closely monitor student attendance patterns to offer proactive support whenever difficulties arise.

How We Can Help:

If you notice attendance challenges emerging at home, please do not hesitate to contact us early. You can reach the College on (02) 8522 1500 to connect with your child's Year Coordinator. Our College Counsellor is also readily available to provide targeted guidance and support.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we work together to ensure a fruitful Term 4 for all our students.

Stephen Mahoney