Principal

Sr Mary Moloney rsm

Dear Members of the Academy Community,

As I write, Term One is drawing to a close. It has been a very happy and fulfilling term but it has also been the first term in two years that the College has been onsite together for the whole term. What a blessing that has been! Over the past two years – 8 terms – there have been constant Covid induced lockdowns, we are so grateful to finally have had a full term onsite.

Our Year 7 students are now well settled into the College community and are already making their own contributions to the Academy. On the other end of the spectrum our Year 12 students are applying themselves to their studies but, in doing so, they have not neglected involvement in College life. I pay particular tribute to the work of the Senior Student Leadership Team who have endeavoured to strengthen connections across the College and begin the implementation of many of the priorities they identified at the beginning of the year. They have ensured that our College theme – Together in Mercy is a lived reality this year. The recent ‘Kindness Station’, which was populated by so many students, is an example of their creativity in highlighting both the importance of connection and also one of the important attributes that binds us together – the attribute of kindness.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the Autumn Soiree where the extraordinary talents of our students were showcased in the magnificent acoustics of the Ursula Frayne Memorial Chapel. Voices soared and music reverberated throughout the Chapel much to the delight of an appreciative audience of parents, family members, staff and students. Congratulations to our very dedicated Music staff for their ability to bring out the best in our students.

On another note, the Athletics Carnival was another opportunity for connection and reconnection and the students thoroughly enjoyed the day. Recently, too, we recommenced our Talk and Tours for 2022. So far, we have hosted three Talk and Tours and it has been wonderful to be able to introduce prospective parents and students to our strong and dynamic College.

Our end of term College Assembly was livestreamed to classes yesterday and included a Holy Week reflection, focussing on the Stations of the Cross.Years 11 and 12 students will participate in a Reflection Day on Thursday 7 April and the staff Spirituality Day will take place on Friday 8 April, with the theme being ‘Claiming the heart in confusion and change!’ Spirituality for the journey.

One of the key events of Term 2 will be a full school Assembly on 28 April where, as a College, we will celebrate 165 years (1857 – 2022). At that Assembly we will take some time to reflect on our history and trace our journey over 165 years but, more importantly, we will look to the future with the launch of a new school song. The composition of the new school song has been a joint staff and student venture, with Mr Hyland, Ms Morris and I working with three of our Year 12 gifted musicians – Holly Gibney, Claudia O’Neill and Claudia Cover. It is hoped that this song becomes a key component of all our gatherings.

Students will receive a 165th commemorative badge on the day as well as a ‘165’ biscuit as a memento of the day and Ruby Hoare as College Captain, along with her two Year 7 ‘Little Sisters’ – Christen Mercuri and Eloise Pola, will join me in cutting the 165th cake.

I wish you all happy and safe holidays – when they come! I encourage you 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 the Easter season be a time of peace, joy and special blessings for all.

Every blessing,

Sr Mary Moloney rsm

Principal