吃瓜网

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Welcoming our new Reception students for two visits to the College this fortnight has been an absolute joy. There was a visible sense of wonder and excitement, as well as a few nerves, as the children made new friends, connected with their teachers and prepared to embrace all that school life has to offer. We look forward to getting to know our new families in 2023.

Last night we bid our final farewell to the Class of 2022 at their Graduation Dinner at Donato Reception Centre. There was a shared sense of pride between staff and families at the impressive group of young women graduating this year. We know that regardless of their ATARs, these women will go on to make a difference in the world, their lives underpinned by the Mercy values that rest at the heart of a Mercy education.

One of our graduates from the Class of 2010, Dr Sarah Scholten, has been named amongst the 60 Superstars of STEM for 2022. Sarah鈥檚 work as a researcher at the Institute for Phonics and Advanced Sensing at Adelaide University is inspirational. She has stayed connected with SAC and has recently spoken to the Year 12 Physics class about career pathways in STEM. They say that 鈥測ou can鈥檛 be what you can鈥檛 see鈥�, but with visible role models like Sarah sharing their stories, our students are ready to take on the world.

The inaugural Neville Stapleton Poetry Award was presented last week to two students who share Neville鈥檚 passion for poetry. Neville鈥檚 family instituted these awards to honour Neville鈥檚 long association with the College, both as a teacher and the College archivist. Neville鈥檚 wife Phil presented the awards to Gislene (Year 9) and Daniela (Year 10) who won the Middle and Senior School Awards respectively. We are so thrilled that Neville鈥檚 love of poetry will continue to inspire our students for years to come.

Year 4 and Year 7 students celebrated their musical achievements through the Immersion Programs at the College this week. Students have the chance to learn brass and woodwind for a semester and we can see that the experience is inspiring many more students to take up these instruments. We look forward to showing you how our orchestra and ensembles have developed as a result of increased student participation at SAC Spectacular next week.

Year 6 students were finally able to enjoy their camp at Victor Harbour this week. Teachers reported how positive the students were, responding to every challenge with energy and enthusiasm. They are a cohort of students who have truly led the primary school by example this year and we are all proud of the way they represent the College. We look forward to wishing them well in their secondary education at next week鈥檚 Year 6 Graduation Mass at the Cathedral.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our end of year events. We hope that you enjoy seeing your children shine on the stage of the Entertainment Centre next Tuesday night as much as we do!

Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal

The National History Challenge

Causes and Consequences

The National History Challenge is a research-based competition for Australian students from Year 1-12. It gives students a chance to be historians, researching world history, examining Australia鈥檚 past, investigating their community or exploring their own roots. The theme of the 2022 National History Challenge was 鈥淐auses and Consequences鈥�, with four of our students being selected as finalists this year. Two Year 10 students, Eleanor Buckham and Emma Borgmeyer, took the opportunity to extend their regular class essays on World War Two to enter this competition. Eleanor entered the 鈥淎sia and Australia鈥� category, examining how Australia鈥檚 relationship with Japan changed as a result of the 1942 bombing of Darwin. Emma鈥檚 entry into the 鈥淯sing Primary Sources鈥� category was a report that examined internment camps in Australia during World War Two. Year 11 student, Crystal Iluno, was a finalist in the 鈥淗istory of Sport鈥� category, with an essay on the commodification of Australian sport. Year 12 student, Mia Konopka, won two categories: 鈥淒emocracy Matters鈥� and the Year 11/12 Category, with an essay evaluating the impact of Gough Whitlam on Australian democracy. Mia was also selected as the SA Young Historian of the Year, and will travel to Canberra, chaperoned by History teacher, Elizabeth Heuzenroeder, for the National Presentation Ceremony at Parliament House. We congratulate all four of these students on their excellent achievements.

Ms Elizabeth Heuzenroeder
History Teacher

Visitors with Tales of Success

Timor-Leste is a country in Southeast Asia, approximately one hour鈥檚 flight away from Darwin. The country has a population of 1.3 million people and it has the highest rate of poverty in Southeast Asia. Before the pandemic began, Australia鈥檚 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that, 鈥渙ne in five Timorese households were receiving payments from overseas.鈥�

The connection between Australia and Timor-Leste, historically, is a very close one. Australia is Timor-Leste鈥檚 largest development and security partner, and we have been at the fore in providing COVID-19 assistance.

Earlier this month the 吃瓜网 community met three Timorese women who brought this connection even closer to home. Alancia, Belizia and Tinisia, all in their mid-twenties, visited 吃瓜网 over several days and forged bonds with students and staff; teaching us and proving to us that there is great hope for the people of Timor-Leste.

These young women were very small children when Timor-Leste gained independence in 2002, and despite having experienced personal challenges, they are well on the way to success. Alancia is training to become a petroleum engineer, Belizia, a teacher, and Tinisia, a nutritionist. In these careers, they will be able to provide solutions for critical issues their people face and actively participate in the economic and social progression of Timor-Leste.

During their visits to SAC, Alancia, Belizia and Tinisia enjoyed observing the way that teachers and students interact, and the learning materials on hand. Belizia shared, 鈥渨e went to a Physics class taught by Mr Arman. He had a special way of engaging the class and he helped everyone to understand things easily. He used classroom resources. Our classrooms in Timor-Leste did not have them. Sometimes three children have to sit on one chair.鈥�

One of the highlights of their visit to SAC, the trio agrees, was a discussion with the incoming cohort of Year 12 SRC Executives. This discussion gave our students the opportunity to learn about a youth development program named JDN, which, under the guidance of SAC Old Scholar, Bernadette McEvoy (Class of 1977), they are actively involved with.

Bernadette has lived and worked in Timor-Leste for the last nine years and is on the Board for JDN. Since 2017, she has been bringing young adults like Alancia, Belizia and Tinisia to visit Adelaide and share their advocacy work. JDN was officially registered as an NGO in 2015, with a view to, 鈥渄eveloping an understanding of young people鈥檚 views about unemployment problems, other youth issues, and possible solutions.鈥�

During their lunchtime discussion with SAC鈥檚 student leaders, Alancia, Belizia and Tinisia spoke about issues of gender equality in Timor-Leste, and the campaigns facilitated by JDN to raise awareness and educate others within the community.

鈥淥ne big challenge we have is harassment in the microlet. The microlet is like a mini-bus, with 12 seats, but they can be crowded. It is a main form of public transport. To try and stop the harassment, we spoke with the Minister of Transport in Timor-Leste and we created a Code of Conduct that the microlet drivers can use to stop harassment [on their bus]. We also put signs inside the microlet, we made stickers and t-shirts, and JDN is empowering more women to become microlet drivers,鈥� Alancia explained.

鈥淲e were impressed by the confidence of the SAC students to use their voice about things that matter to them,鈥� Tinisia added. 鈥淲e found the students so confident and they asked us questions, when we had thought they might be shy. But they asked questions and we asked them questions too.鈥�

Speaking of their connection with Bernadette, Alancia said, 鈥渨e call her 鈥楳ana鈥� Bernie which is a term of respect. She tells us, 鈥榞o outside of your comfort zone.鈥� She guides us and helps us improve our speaking and leadership skills. She listens to us and says: 鈥榳hat steps do you need to take to produce an action?鈥� She doesn鈥檛 give us a plan, she just says 鈥� 鈥榳e have a nutrition project 鈥� you should plan something.鈥� This is empowering. For example, Mana Bernie does not give us the recipe, but she gives us the ingredients to cook with.鈥�

We look forward to keeping in contact with Alancia, Belizia and Tinisia and learning more about the work of JDN as they continue to pursue pathways of progression for youth in Timor-Leste.

For more information:

Ms Maddie Kelly
Marketing & Communications Team

Student Leaders for 2023

We are very pleased to announce the following Student Leaders for 2023. We are very proud of all students who applied and showed a willingness to involve themselves in students' leadership at SAC.

Ms Jacqui Mcilroy
Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care)

Sports Captains 2023

Chemical Reactions in Year 9

Whenever we study a Chemistry topic, students ask 鈥淐an we make something blow up?鈥�, so last week we did exactly that.听 In our study of Chemical Reactions, we have recently been learning about different properties of acids and bases and where these are found around the home.听 In an adaptation of the well-known volcano experiment, students in 9JV poured vinegar into a zip-lock bag, partially sealed it, wrapped some bicarb soda in some clean, dry toilet paper and carried the two separately outside to an open space. When ready, they inserted the paper bundle into the plastic bag, quickly sealed it and dropped it on the ground, standing back.听 The bags literally 鈥渂lew up鈥� as they filled with carbon dioxide gas and then burst open due to the pressure.

Ms Sandra Eustace
Chemistry Teacher

Year 3 Bilingual Storytellers!

Our 3EG students were given the challenge of writing a 'Bilingual story', partly in Chinese and partly in English - a culmination of four terms of learning including food, transport, introduction and sea animals. They read a model story by the teacher and in teams of two or three they then wrote their version. All students in the classroom rose to the challenge!

Ms Elaine Angwin
Chinese Teacher

"We can translate all the Chinese in the story to English. Me and Simona worked incredibly well in our Chinese and shared our ideas with each other. It was very fun working with her." Nancy Mitchell

"It was fun learning Chinese. It really helps me because I might live in China." Lucie Gibbon

"We worked together doing half Chinese, half English. We can also translate the Chinese into English. It was really fun sharing ideas." Simona Lynn

"I liked working together and helps me with my pronunciation." Xanthe Noke

"I really liked writing this story and I love Chinese." Esther Haines

Remembrance Day

It is always with pride and reverence that students embrace the opportunity to participate in Remembrance Day activities.

This year, carrying the honour of supporting the 2/43^rd Battalion, for whom SAC is custodian of over 200 remembrance crosses and their ceremonial flag, were students of 7NW. The students placed the crosses on the Field of Remembrance in preparation for the official Remembrance Day service at the North Terrace memorial. On Remembrance Day students attended the formal ceremony and also placed an individual wreath on the war memorial monument.

At the same time as the North Terrace ceremony was taking place, students from 10EH were honoured to be able to lay a wreath at West Terrace Cemetery. That morning, the same students had placed poppies on some of the individual resting places of Australian soldiers (of which there are 4,150 resting places at the heritage listed cemetery).

This was a fantastic opportunity for students to be involved with local community, learn about the history of West Terrace Cemetery, the many conflicts Australia has been involved in be involved in and to be part of the spirit of Remembrance Day. 

Thanks to Ms Rosa Frezza and Ms Elizabeth Heuzenroeder for taking their classes and enabling SAC to participate in significant community and national events.

Ms Carolyne Williams
HASS Coordinator

From the Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care)

Creating classes that reflect well-balanced learning communities

We have completed the important process of class placements for 2023.

Placing your daughter and considering the make-up of each classroom is an intricate process that we take very seriously. Our goal each year is to create classes that reflect well-balanced learning communities, an optimal learning environment for all students and classes that mirror the diverse nature at 吃瓜网.

Given our commitment to the process, once the classroom communities have been formed the movement of one student from the group can alter the integrity of the group and causes a chain reaction within the classroom balance, which we work so hard to achieve. Therefore, we ask that parents and caregivers trust the expertise and judgment of the professionals making the class placement decisions.

In the final week of school for 2022, students from Reception to Year 5 will have a Transition session where students will meet their teacher and classmates for the following year. Parents/Caregivers will be emailed class placements that afternoon. Parents/Caregivers of students in Year 6 to Year 11 will be emailed class placement information on the last day of term, following the student dismissal.

We know that students are often nervous about starting a new year in a new classroom, and below is some advice from Madhavi Nawana Parker from Positive Minds Australia.

Please take the time to read through: 

Ms Jacqui Mcilroy
Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care)

Class Placement Time

Worried about your child鈥檚 class placement? It鈥檚 perfectly natural to have a preference for a particular teacher or peer group and normal to feel worried or disappointed if they don鈥檛 get them.
A child鈥檚 emotional adjustment to leaving this year鈥檚 teacher and preparing for next year鈥檚 teacher is also interconnected with your feelings about it.

A final note鈥�

The advice above is general and based on child development, resilience and confidence research. It is written with the very best intention to help you. Without knowing your individual circumstances it鈥檚 not intended to replace your expertise as a parent or the expertise of educators and health professionals. Always seek tailored expert advice if you feel your child鈥檚 physical or psychological health is at risk in any way.

Wishing you all the very best with class placement news if you live in the Southern Hemisphere. Hang in there beautiful parents and educators.

Madhavi Nawana Parker

UN Voice of Youth Competition

We are very proud of Year 8 student, Mariya, who ranked third in the Junior Finals of the UN Youth SA's Voice Competition last weekend. Mariya impressed the judges with her presentation on the topic of 鈥業ncentivising Migration to Regional Australia鈥�. The Voice Competition is considered Australia鈥檚 most prestigious public speaking competition for grades 7鈥�10 focused on young people鈥檚 creative solutions to the globe鈥檚 most pressing issues.

Well done, Mariya! Keep using your voice to make a difference.

Fencing SA State Championships

Congratulations to Year 5 student Sunday, who won two places in the recent Fencing SA State Championships. Sunday came 1st in the Under 11s Girls Foil competition, and 2nd in Under 13s Girls' Foil competition. Well done, Sunday!

Virtual Reality (VR) Experience for Students

Year 10 and Stage 1 Digital Technology students went to Lumination Lab to be immersed in VR. They stepped into the shoes of an astronaut and experienced what it might feel like to navigate through the stars and into the future. They investigated the challenges and exciting possibilities that exist in space exploration. Students reflect:

鈥淚t was good to experience what it might be like for an astronaut, you see the world how an astronaut would鈥�. Kimonne Gumber

 鈥淚 was supposed to take a photo of the damage to the space station so the people could see how bad it was, but the camera flew away. I had a toolbox, I picked up the screwdriver and threw it at the camera in a state of panic, it was epic mess鈥�.  Keira Gerrard

鈥淲hat an eye-opening experience which gave me an insight into South Australia鈥檚 space industry鈥�. Samantha Hay

It was great to lean about technology and innovation which is involved in venturing into outer space and planning for setting up a new civilisation.

Ms Joanne Villis
Digital Technologies Coordinator

From the Music Department

In Week 4, our Stage Band were fortunate to have Dr Jordan Murray visit SAC and conduct a workshop with the band. A gifted trombonist, educator, composer/arranger and performer, Jordan is also the new Musical Director of Generations in Jazz. Jordan spent time with our students working on all aspects of ensemble playing, with a particular focus on improvisation. The Stage Band loved working with Jordan and look forward to putting his advice into practice.

Ms Fiona Turner
Music Coordinator

Outdoor Education

Appreciating nature and its WONDERS

Year 11 Outdoor Education students recently walked 26 kilometres across three days in Deep Creek Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Pensinsula. The hikes were more challenging than usual due to wind and rain, but that didn't stop the students from enjoying themselves and the rich scenery and sounds of the park. Deep Creek is home to more than 100 species of birds and an array of native wildlife, so there was much for the team to look and listen out for, all while putting their outdoor expedition skills to the test.

Continuing the Storytelling of our History

叠辞补谤诲别谤蝉鈥� High Jinks

The routine and discipline of the boarding house in the 1920s was strict with early mornings and rules of silence but mischief and pranks abounded. Midnight feasts and pillow fights were part of boarding house culture, but it was the arrival of the daughters of the Wirth circus family as weekly boarders that lifted the stakes. One claimed she could jump from the first-floor balcony with an umbrella but broke her ankle demonstrating the feat! Having the Wirth family in the school brought benefits for the boarders who were invited by Mr Wirth to a circus performance when it was in town.

Ms Carol Grantham
Head Archivist