Principal

Dear Members of the Academy Community,

And thus Term 1 draws to a close- what a busy term it has been!

As I write all the many and varied events of the term come to mind – the Caritas Australia Launch, the inaugural Women’s Wellness  Week, the Swimming Sports, the Year 7 Camp , the March for Women, the College Conversation, the resumption of International visits, the Autumn Music Concert, the enormous and ongoing work of the Justice group , the many excursions– just to list a few of the events that have shaped this term.  All these activities and events have contributed to the rich educational landscape of the College.

I would like to highlight two recent events – the Autumn Music Concert and the College Conversation.    The Academy has so many talented musical  students  and last week’s Autumn Concert provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase these gifted students. There were some incredible performances culminating with the performance by AMICCI (Academy of Mary Immaculate Chamber Choir, Inspire) who offered us a Phantom of the Opera repertoire.  A magnificent performance!   Congratulations to all involved!

Likewise, another recent event of particular significance was the College Conversation. This is an annual event where representatives of staff, students, parents, School Council and Alumnae come together to discuss a particular topic.  This year the focus was on the College’s Vision Statement -   we aspire to be “A Premier Learning Community” .  Participants  were invited to explore this quest three questions:

1. Our Vision states that we aspire to be “a premier learning community”. What do you believe are the elements of a “premier learning community’ in 2024 and beyond?
2. What relationships and partnerships will support this quest? 
3. As a “premier learning community” in Melbourne, what should we prioritize to develop engaged and future focused lifelong learners?

Our facilitator , Teresa Lincoln, Regional Leadership Consultant, MACS , described our  vision as  a “bold and courageous" vision:

“This bold and courageous vision fosters a desire to engage in high quality collaborative  learning experiences and demands that the community is committed to academic excellence, personal growth and the development of a supportive and inclusive education.”

During the evening the discussions were wide ranging but what became particularly obvious was the excellence of the  contribution of the students who entered fully into the discussions  with, as stated by  one of our Alumnae of the 1940s,   “Deep/wide ranging thoughts about the topics and clear explanations of their implications.”

We are still collating the responses from the evening – so more details to come!

It is hoped that the first stage of our  current Masterplan  will be completed in the school holidays with the renovation of the undercroft area. We are looking forward to seeing  a warm and welcoming update to this area.

Students conclude the term on Wednesday and staff on Thursday. It has become a tradition at the College that a Staff Spirituality Day takes place on the final day of the term, which often coincides with Holy Thursday. Sr Cathy Solano, a Sister of Mercy, will be the guest presenter on this occasion. The Spirituality Day will have the general focus of “Encounter”

Cathy Solano 

Cathy is a Sister of Mercy from Melbourne who began her ministry as a secondary education teacher and taught in regional and urban schools. She worked in Karachi, Pakistan as a teacher trainer, then with Jesuit Refugee Service as project director in Adjumani, Uganda and most recently as education and pastoral coordinator for the diocese of El Obeid in Sudan, South Sudan and Kenya. Sr Cathy completed a Masters of Theology in Intercultural Studies from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, and has trained as a spiritual director and pastoral supervisor.

Encounter

… two people encountering one another involves action, a give and take, and even more importantly, it involves openness to mystery and relationship. To encounter another is to realize that no matter the depths to which we may know each other, the well of mystery about myself and the other - and God with us - will never be exhausted …  Enrique Dussel

I take this opportunity to farewell three members of staff, Ms Sherine Baydoun, Ms Lauren Deville and Ms Melinda Keyte. We wish Ms Baydoun well as she awaits the birth of her first child and we look forward to her return to us in 2025.

Ms Deville has taught a number of English classes as well as being a Year 7 mentor teacher and Ms Keyte has been offering support in the Drama area this term. We wish them well for the future and thank them for their efforts this term.  We are very fortunate that we have been able to employ excellent replacement teachers.  Academy is well known in the educational community and we are not facing the employment issues faced by a number of schools.

We were privileged to listen to Clare Martin, 2014 College Justice Captain reflect on her journey thus far.  I have included a very small extract from Clare's speech here 

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 this Easter season be a time of peace, joy and special blessings for all.

Thank you all for your support of the College.

Every blessing,

Sr Mary Moloney rsm 

Principal