From the Principal

Benvenuto - Welcome

As we come to the end of our first school term for 2023, it is great to look back on all the wonderful learning achievements of the students over the last 10 weeks. The learning conversations this past week were an opportunity to celebrate the work and effort of our students, as well as identify opportunities for future growth in partnership with students and their families. There was a great buzz in the building as the conversations were occurring. I look forward to being able to ‘check in’ on some of the students' goals over the next term.

During the last week of March, students, parents and Learning Mentors had the incredible opportunity to listen to Martin Heppell from The Resilience Project (TRP). Martin is a high-energy presenter and he had lots of great insight into the principles of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness and the importance of developing emotional literacy. The students continue to engage in TRP sessions each week, using their journals to record their reflections. We look forward to this work continuing in Term 2.

On Thursday we farewelled some members of our college community - Jayne Moule (Laboratory Technician), Jayne Hill (Foundation Learning Mentor) and Georgina Rykers (School of Innovation Learning Mentor). Jayne Moule has been assisting to set up the science lab and mentoring our Laboratory Technician Tenille Russell. Jayne has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role and we thank her for her generosity in assisting us to get started in this space. Jayne Hill has been a valued member of the School of Wonder for the last 12 months. Jayne has shared her wealth of experience and depth of knowledge with the students and educators. Jayne is taking up a teaching position closer to home. Georgina has been working in the Year 9 team in the School of Innovation as we continue to advertise for more teaching staff. With a new house almost built, Georgina is now making the permanent move to the big city and we wish her all the best with her future studies and work.

The end of this term leads into Easter, an important time in the Christian calendar. On the last day of term, the students participated in a liturgy with a reflection on the Stations of the Cross. The Stations of the Cross are a representation of the story of Jesus’ passion, death and burial. In the early days soon after Jesus’ death, followers would travel long distances to visit sacred sites – these were called Pilgrims. Pilgrims to Jerusalem came to see the sites where Jesus had been; these became important holy sites. Eventually as travel became less accessible as populations spread out, by the 1500s people from all over the world began to replicate the holy sites – these shrines became the 14 Stations of the Cross that we know today. The Stations of the Cross are an opportunity for us to stop and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us. The stations are an important reminder for Christians that the Easter story is a journey from pain and suffering to renewal and hope. I hope that over this Easter period, you all have the opportunity to spend time with family and friends and reflect on the opportunities for renewal and hope in your own life.

 - 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