From the Deputy Principal

NEAA Student Conference 2026

In 2026, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Presentation Congregation, honouring the enduring legacy of Nano Nagle and the light she ignited through her faith, courage and commitment to those most in need. Two and a half centuries later, Nano Nagle's lantern continues to shine across more than 20 countries around the world, inspiring generations to live with compassion, justice and hope.

Last week, Mrs Fiona Chambers and I travelled to Perth with four Year 10 students, Camila Cunningham, Georgia Scharvi, Eshal Ali and Audrey Bessell, to attend the NEAA Student Conference. The students are to be commended for the outstanding way they represented our College throughout the event.

The theme of the first day of the conference was Igniting the Flame: Nano Nagle's Vision. Students and staff were invited to reflect on the faith and vision that inspired Nano Nagle's life and mission. As we celebrate 250 years of the Presentation Congregation, we are challenged to ignite that same flame within ourselves by living the Gospel values and serving others with courage and compassion. We are called not only to carry Nano's lantern but also to ensure its light continues to shine brightly in our world.

The focus of Day 2, Carrying the Light: Living the Presentation Charism Today, encouraged students to explore what it means to live the Presentation charism in contemporary society. Through dialogue, collaboration and experiential learning, students deepened their understanding of the Presentation values of compassion, justice, hospitality, leadership and service. Most importantly, they were challenged to consider how they can bring the Presentation mission to life as carriers of the lantern in an ever-changing world.

The final day of the conference centred on Lighting the Way Forward: Inspiring Future Action. Students were invited to reimagine the Presentation charism for today and the future, reflecting on their leadership, creativity and commitment to justice. In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to supporting Georgia, Camila, Audrey and Eshal as they respond to the challenge of carrying the lantern beyond the conference and making a meaningful difference within our College community. 

Students' reflections on the conference:

Eshal Ali – 

“I really enjoyed meeting people and making new friends from Presentation schools across Australia; you make lifelong bonds and create wonderful memories together. My main highlight was hearing about the different schools and sharing our stories. I'm beyond grateful that I was able to experience this.”

Georgia Scharvi –

“Attending the NEAA student conference was an amazing experience that will stick with me through my Presentation journey. Something I enjoyed about the conference was getting the opportunity to interact, network and meet new people from different Presentation schools across Australia. It was great collaborating and sharing ideas. Coming together and continuing to share Nano Nagle and the Presentation Sisters' legacy was a major highlight for me.”

Audrey Bessell –

" I was so grateful to be given the opportunity to represent our school at the NEAA conference. It allowed me to connect with other amazing students from around the country who I am still in contact with. I learnt a lot about what it meant to be a good, kind and compassionate leader, from all the workshops we were fortunate enough to participate in and from other students. I truly hope I can bring my new skills back to St Mary's and help inspire other students."

Camila Cunningham –

"The conference was the perfect mix of Presentation history and how we can share our light in a modern context. All the girls were incredibly welcoming, and it is definitely an opportunity that the current Year 8s won't want to miss in two years' time! By far, the highlight for me was the conference dinner. By that third night, everyone had become super close, and combined with the delicious buffet dinner and dancing, the night was truly an epic way to finish." 

Smart glasses and school expectations 

As technology continues to evolve, new devices are reshaping the way we connect, learn and share information. One of the latest innovations is smart glasses. While these devices often resemble ordinary eyewear, they may include built-in cameras, microphones, speakers, Bluetooth and internet connectivity. 

Although smart glasses offer exciting technological possibilities, they also present significant concerns within a school environment, particularly in relation to privacy, safeguarding and data protection.

To help maintain a safe and secure environment for all members of our community, smart glasses are not permitted on school grounds or at school-related activities. This expectation applies to students, parents, carers, visitors and staff.

We kindly ask for your support in adhering to this requirement. Should smart glasses be brought to school, they will be required to be removed and handed in to Student Services for safekeeping. Parents or carers will be notified and asked to collect the glasses from school.

Thank you for partnering with us as we embrace emerging technologies responsibly while continuing to protect the privacy, safety and wellbeing of all members of our school community.