Wellbeing 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

When reflecting on 2022, two words in particular come to mind. Those word are ‘connection’ and ‘re-connection’. This was certainly one of the main aims and foci of both the Wellbeing Team and the Student Leadership Team as collectively we developed an approach which centred around welcoming all members of this community back to school and ensuring there was a sense of re-connectedness after the second year of the COVID-19 global pandemic.  While the year certainly contained highs and lows, peaks and troughs and challenges and difficulties, that sense of community, that the Academy is renowned for, was certainly present from day one. At our Year 7 – 11 End of Term 4 College Assembly, I was heartened and proud to hear when our 2023 College Vice Captain, Krissy Francis said that there are many days on which she has come to school this year and has not even remembered the remote learning and associated restrictions of the past two years. I believe this to be a real testament to all in this community for the wonderful job they have done to ensure that we have felt welcomed, connected and re-connected over the course of the year. 

So now whilst we have this first year of return to ‘normal’ under our belt, what should our focus be for 2023? I know that there is much excitement in the air with our College Theme: ‘Many Voices, One Community’. As a school we are all definitely looking forward to living out this theme next year though the Mercy lens. Rahel Abraham, College Captain for 2023, spoke about this in her inaugural speech a fortnight ago, and she clearly articulated, that whilst the Academy of Mary Immaculate has a long and rich tradition, a wonderful Learning & Teaching and Student Wellbeing Program, beautiful gardens and buildings and so many opportunities both in and out of the classroom, it is the students who make the Academy what it is today. The students are the essence and fabric of this school and the experiences that all members of this community have are as a result of what all students do on a day to day basis. So the questions I asked the girls to ponder over the holidays are:  ‘What type of person do I want to be?,  ‘What type of experiences do I want to have at school?’ and ‘What type of experiences do I want my peers to have as a result of the type of person I am?’

As we head towards Christmas, it is my hope that each and every one of you has a very special time over the break. 2022 has been a very successful year and I am sure that we all looking forward to consolidate all that has been achieved and at the same time embrace the new opportunities that 2023 will bring us. 

Thank you for all of your wonderful help and support throughout this year. Wishing you all a very safe and joyous Christmas and may the New Year be full of new opportunities, merriment and grace.

Mr Sam Di Camillo

Deputy Principal, Wellbeing & Operations