From the Alumnae 

Co-Presidents

Co-Presidents Report   

We are delighted to introduce you to your new logo! It was designed by Anna Cahill, the School Publications and Communications Officer and includes our traditional School colours and our date of establishment, October 1917.  We are most grateful to Anna for giving her time and talents in creating this important symbol of our unity.    

We continue to keep all alumnae in mind as we contend with COVID -19 and its momentous and frightening consequences. The Little Book of Hope, which was written by young School students, has just been sent to those who left School over 60 years ago. An e-book version is available for all alumnae, in this newsletter.

This Little Book is inspired with enormous amounts of sensitivity, compassion and understanding — a Little Book bringing a lot of joy and hope when life feels hope-less, for so many. Included, are stunning photographs from Marnie Haddad (1989) of iconic School images which we all would remember. Our sincere thanks to all the girls and the staff who contributed their time and their talents to this precious gift.    

The Association Committee was very pleased to be in the financial position to make two recent donations: a $10,000 donation to the School COVID-19 Bursary Fund Appeal and $5,000 to Sophie’s Farm.  Sr Lydia Collado RSCJ (the program director and head of the Sacred Heart Institute for Transformative Education Foundation, which does campus ministry, pastoral ministry, operates a nursery, and manages Sophie's Farm) forwarded this email on receipt of the donation:  

Blessings to you all. Yes, we will use the money to a good use. Half of the money, we will use in creating 10 more plots for lettuce and a new space for potting the seedlings until they are ready for planting. This move will give us more production, and therefore added income for our sustainability. The other half, we will buy rice for food supplies and school supplies which we will distribute to the children (children's nursery modules, art supplies) and to the old people (rice and canned goods). 

Your donation came on time, these plans are in the offing, but we cannot yet do it because of lack of funds. This is like a miracle to us, God indeed provides, as usual, we just need the goodwill and heart to think of others.  Sr Lydia

We look forward to continuing supporting Sophie’s Farm and the Bursary Funds, in accordance with our Constitution. The Association is, as always, most grateful to the parents who pay their daughters’ Life Membership fees on enrolment at the School. Our viability could not be assured without this generosity.    

All Reunions have had to be cancelled for 2020 but they are not forgotten! Reunions will be celebrated, in style, and in 2021, we hope! As will be the Generations Afternoon Tea. No doubt, the sandwiches, cakes, champagne and cups of tea will taste even better than usual!  

The committee continue to meet on Zoom which is not quite as good as face-to-face but certainly better than not meeting, but as those who work from home will attest, no one hangs around chatting on Zoom for longer than necessary!  

The membership of sacconnect continues to grow and hopefully provides increasing opportunities for alumnae to mentor, be mentored and keep connected. Now, more than ever, we need people like our members to provide and nurture creative and innovative employment and social opportunities which will be sustainable in our rapidly changing and unpredictable world. Our thanks, as always, to Melinda Adams and all the School Staff who give their time and expertise to keep us … apart but together … and ... In Cor Unum  

Kerry Bergin and Marianne Cassin  

 Co-Presidents 2018-21