From the Principal

Benvenuto - Welcome

It has been a busy week at the college with many exciting events occurring. Each of these events have been connected to the theme of new beginnings. 

The Year 10 students and their parents attended the Year 10 into Year 11 2024 information night on Wednesday. It was a great opportunity for them to hear about the VCE, VCE VM and VET programs offered at Senior Secondary level at St Anne’s College. After an information session, the students were able to wander through the ‘expo’ of subjects on offer at St Anne’s College. If you were unable to make the information night, please be sure to check your email sent by Sarah Baglin which has the links to the presentation and to the Senior Secondary Google site. 

Our year 11 cohort were off to Melbourne early Thursday morning to attend the Victorian Careers Expo. This is a fantastic annual event that showcases many different career and pathway possibilities. It was a great opportunity for the students to gather some information and inspiration as they continue to plot their future pathway. 

Thursday night also saw our Year 4 Sacramental candidates meet together for the ‘Our Time Together 3’ preparation session as the date for their Confirmation and First Eucharist approaches. The candidates have spent time together in reflection, learning and prayer preparing for this major event in their lives. This year the Sacramental mass will be held on Pentecost Sunday. (May 28th) We continue to pray for all of the St Mel’s Parish candidates. 

As winter approaches it can be very tempting for students to wear extra items of clothing which are not part of the college uniform. Can I please ask for the support of all community members in ensuring our students are adhering to the uniform policy. Information regarding this was sent out by Kate McGrath through an email and in the daily messages on PAM. 

This week we were extremely honoured and grateful for a donation to the college by Lynn Breen, Lynn was the Adult Faith Education Coordinator for the Sandhurst Diocese for many years. Lynn presented the college with an icon depicting St Anne and the child Mary from the Monastery of St John the Theologian in Patmos, Greece. The icon is made according to traditional methods using gold leaf and egg tempera on canvas and old wood in the workshop of Andreas Kalatzis. The icon was brought back to the diocese by members of the 2007 Sandhurst Diocese pilgrimage ‘In the Footsteps of Saint Paul’ which travelled through Greece and coastal Turkey. The pilgrimage was led by Monsignor Peter Jeffery, who at the time was parish priest of St Brendan’s Parish. Lynn would now like the icon to find its home at St Anne’s College. 

(Notes from Lynn Breen) 

This icon is not only a beautiful piece of art, but it has so much story and history connected to it, it will be an invaluable learning tool for our staff and our students as they learn about the importance of icons from the Eastern Orthodox traditions. Due to the very special nature of the icon, we will spend some time to ensure that where and how we display the icon is the best for preserving and sharing this magnificent piece. Our greatest thanks to Lynn for her generosity of spirit and thoughtfulness. 

 - Susan Carroll, Principal

Thanks to the following businesses for supporting St Anne's College:

 Adornato's - for landscaping supplies 

 Intercontinental Spares - for the 40ft shipping container

 ConX Hire - for the VMS display board