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From the Principal
Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC,
We couldn鈥檛 have asked for more perfect weather for SAC Laneway 2023. In a sea of green to honour St Patrick鈥檚 Day, our students once again amazed us with their musical talents. Thanks to the many families and friends who came along to enjoy the evening, and to the many staff, especially Ms Nicole Wedding, who made the whole event possible. Our senior Rock Band, The Unexpected, will be recording some tracks at Chapel Lane studios in the holidays as a result of your generous support. You can read more about this exciting event from our Music Coordinator, Ms Fiona Turner, later in this newsletter.
Thank you to all the teachers, parents, and local businesses who supported SAC Laneway!
The College marked Close the Gap Day on Thursday 16 March by linking in with some of our extended SAC community to learn more about First Nations justice. Old scholar Naomi from Deadly Mentorz met with students from our Reconciliation Action Plan committee and others committed to addressing inequality. They shared ideas about how we can move towards a more just, equitable and reconciled Australia through our actions here at school.
This was followed by a session on Friday with the Justice and Mercy group led by Dr Joanne Buckskin. A grandparent of one of our current students, Jo is a Lecturer at Flinders University and she shared stories of First Nations women in South Australia who have made society better through the pursuit of justice in health, education, the media and social services. I am so proud of our students鈥� passion for justice and their willingness to listen, learn and take action for a better future. And I am grateful for the generosity of Naomi and Jo and for their willingness to share their stories and wisdom with us.
The National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) has been held much earlier this year, with all students completing the tests online. For students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, these tests provide a snapshot of how they are progressing according to national benchmarks. Our hope is that the move to an online format enables faster processing, so that feedback to students, teachers and parents can be used more effectively.
Camps and Retreats are in full swing at this end of the term, with Year 4, 6 and 12 heading off this week and some of the Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award students preparing for their next adventure in Week 9. Spending time away from home gives students a chance to strengthen and broaden their peer relationships and forge an even stronger connection with their teachers. We know from the excitement and anticipation that these will be some of the most memorable moments of the year and will help to develop students鈥� independence and confidence.
It has been a pleasure to welcome students from Japan to the College this fortnight. For the SAC students who meet the girls in their classes, and especially for those who have been their Study Tour buddies, this experience of intercultural learning and friendship-building is so valuable. Thank you to everyone for immersing our visitors in Mercy hospitality and ensuring that we continue to build strong ties with our sister schools in Japan.
Ms Paddy McEvoy
Principal
From the Catherine McAuley Library
Teacher鈥慙ibrarian & Information Services
Coordinator
It has been a busy week in the library!
Our junior primary students enjoyed the opportunity to share and discuss picture books celebrating diversity and acceptance as we acknowledged Harmony Week. Mary Lee Donovan and Lian Cho鈥檚 beautiful picture book, A Hundred Thousand Welcomes, gently celebrates hospitality and acceptance, family and friendship, kindness and compassion. It was a privilege to share this text with our younger students and use it as a platform to generate discussion around why we celebrate Harmony Week.
Staff and students enthusiastically combined all their reading minutes on Thursday 9 March to participate in Australian Reading Hour. This initiative has a short and simple message: read, share, and enjoy books! We encouraged our SAC community to do just that on the day and to record their reading efforts to add to our collective result. We received almost 300 reading records totalling 16,539 minutes across our SAC community! All entries went into the draw to win one of three prizes, and Nicola, Vivian and Chelsea were our lucky winners!
Ms Ali Ripberger
Teacher鈥慙ibrarian & Information Services
Coordinator
Harmony Day: 'Everyone Belongs'
Mercy Light: Connecting
Did you know that we have students from more than 60 different nationalities?
吃瓜网 is a culturally diverse community that embraces people from many backgrounds, and every year during Harmony Week, which is celebrated around Australia between March 20 to March 26, we proudly celebrate the vibrance this brings to our school.
On Harmony Day, Tuesday March 21, students received an orange Harmony Day ribbon to pin to their school uniforms as they entered the school grounds, and at lunch, they had the chance to experience cultural practices from around the world, without having to even leave the Redden Undercroft!
A number of students with cultural roots in Pakistan, India, Burundi, Burma and South Africa set up interactive activities at different tables, with the aim to educate and entertain their peers.
Year 10 student, Retha, taught students how to practice Mehndi 鈥� also known as Henna 鈥� designs on paper hands.
鈥淭his country here, we are Pakistan,鈥� Retha told a number of enthusiastic younger students as they drew their Mehndi designs.
鈥淗enna actually comes from Egypt, but it was adopted by other countries. Mehndi is the name of the body art and Henna is the name of the plant that it is made out of.鈥�
Further along the 鈥榓round the world鈥� trail, Hanaz, Year 10, was dressed in an Indian sari and taught students about the art form of Rangoli, which is created on special occasions, such as Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. Colourful designs are made on surfaces such as tables, or on the floor at the entrances at buildings, using powder, rocks and flowers.
Hanaz said, 鈥淩angoli represents the happiness, positivity and liveliness of a household. My family is from India, and if there is one thing I want to teach people about India, it would be the vibrant, gorgeous culture.鈥�
Clodeta and Kim, also in Year 10, wore a purple and gold fabric from Burundi, a small country in central-East Africa. Clodeta and Kim鈥檚 activity was challenging: students were invited to practice walking approximately five metres, following a taped line on the ground, while balancing a basket on their head.
Clodeta, whose family comes from Burundi, said, 鈥渢he cultural significance of this activity is to show others how women in Burundi get around doing daily tasks. Often, they have to travel quite a long distance with the basket on their heads. The cloth I am wearing is traditional wear, so wrapping the cloth around you while walking is to show how the women are able to do other things while still being able to carry baskets on their heads.鈥�
Year 1 students, Veronika and Abbie, especially enjoyed this challenge. 鈥淲e are really good at balancing!鈥� When asked how they鈥檇 think they鈥檇 go if they had to balance the basket for a longer walk, their eyes grew wide.
鈥淥h, wow!鈥� Veronika said.
Students also had the chance to turn their hand to making bracelets, inspired by South African beading, and to see traditional Burmese skin cream.
Staff from the English as an Additional Language department printed out the word 鈥榃ELCOME鈥� in each of the languages spoken by our students. After completing their trip 鈥榓round the world鈥� many students enjoyed colouring in the words, which were displayed by students at lunch time on Friday in the Dunlevie Courtyard, marking the end of Harmony Week for 2023.
Activities such as these provide students with an insight into the various cultural influences on their schoolmates and our whole school community to say, 鈥渨elcome 鈥� everyone belongs.鈥�
Ms Maddie Kelly
JAM Coordinator
Wedding bells with our SAC Choir
We were so proud of the angelic voices of our SAC choir who sang at Miss Elizabeth Heuzenroeder's marriage to Mr Mark Goreham. It was such a blessing and many guests commented on how special it was. Our SAC string quartet also played so professionally. Sincere thanks to Ms Fiona Turner for her time and care in conducting and directing the music for the wedding ceremony. Father James McEvoy鈥檚 warmth as the celebrant was also much appreciated.
Ms Wendy-Anne Heuzenroeder听
Learning Support Teacher and Mother of the Bride
Close the Gap Day, 2023
鈥淪trong Culture, Strong Youth: Our Legacy, Our Future鈥�
Our Reconciliation Action Plan aims to build cultural responsiveness and improve practice to best support the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. An important part of our commitment is to strengthen connection with community as we build understanding about issues that are of significance to First Nations Australians.
This week we were fortunate enough to connect with two significant people in our SAC community who were able to assist our teachers and students to deepen our understanding of key concerns.
On Close the Gap Day, Naomi Huxley, former SAC student and director of Deadly Mentorz facilitated a 鈥榶arn up鈥� with students to share knowledge and understanding about the importance of Close the Gap Day, and what we can do to improve health and opportunity outcomes for First Nations Australians.
Year 7 student, Aamina Dars reflected: "Listening to Naomi made me consider equality and reconciliation between Indigenous and Non-indigenous Australians. I enjoyed sitting with her and listening to her talk about the topic. I hope to be able to have a yarning circle with her again."
The following day the JAM group hosted guest speaker, Dr Joanne Buckskin, who shared the stories of seven First Nations women and how they have helped to raise the profile of issues concerning their people. Dr Joanne is a grandparent of a current student and is a tertiary educator of Narrungga, Kaurna, Wirangu Wotjobalok heritage. Her key teaching and research fields include Reconciliation and Education, which she brings together in her work as a teacher educator.
In this year of the Voice to parliament, listening to truth telling and asking questions are meaningful ways in which we can interact in a shared language of Reconciliation.
Ms Viviana Graney
First Nations Focus Teacher
Ms Maddie Kelly
Justice & Mercy听Coordinator
Year 3 Mindfulness Creations
The Year 3 classes learned the ancient Indian tradition of mandala creation. From the ancient language of 鈥楽anskrit鈥�, mandala means 鈥榗ircle鈥�. Students participated in workshops with Cathy Gray from Inkworks to create their own designs. They surrendered to the process of working in silence to channel their creativity, letting what came to mind translate to their paper.
Year 3 Teachers
Students' reflections:
鈥淚 like how you can do whatever you want with it and mistakes are OK, they make it better because you can be creative with them.鈥� 鈥� Therese Ouano
鈥淚 like making mandalas because no matter what you do, it looks pretty.鈥� 鈥� Nancy Hurrell
鈥淚 learned that if you take your time, the patterns can look really good. The workshop was fun, but it was a bit hard to be silent the whole time!鈥� 鈥� Devanshi Bhatt
鈥淚 liked the patterns that we could choose from to use in our mandala. It was something I had never done before and I really enjoyed it.鈥� 鈥� Evie Broomfield
鈥淢andalas use a variety of different patterns to make a big picture which looks really effective.鈥� 鈥� Anastasia Aritzis
鈥淚t鈥檚 really important to not rush your mandala and take as much time as you need.鈥� 鈥� Mila Fimmel
From the Secondary Sport Coordinator
Secondary Sport Coordinator
On Tuesday, a group of Year 11/12 students competed in the Division 1 Statewide Touch Football competition at City Touch. Whilst the girls faced some tough competition on the day, the quality of play was outstanding! They gave the winning side, Marryatville, a real run for their money - falling short by only 3 trys. After being hit with both intense heat and harsh rains, the day finished with a tied match against Cedar College. At the conclusion of the matches, our girls were specifically commended by the referees for their honesty, communication and respect for opposition teams. We are so proud of the girls' efforts! Stay tuned for notices regarding Year 9/10 touch football trials in the coming weeks.
Sporting Spotlight
OUTSTANDING SWIMMING RESULTS
Congratulations to Year 10 student, Claire, who recently competed at the SA State Long Course Swimming Championships from Friday 10 March to Monday 13 March 2023 and the State Relay Championships held on 19 Feb 2023. She had some great results, reaching finals for 7 out of 8 events with her results as follows:
- Gold 10-14yo 4x50m Freestyle Relay
- Gold 10-14yo 4x50m Medley Relay
- Bronze 14/15yo 200m Breaststroke
- Bronze 14yo 200m Freestyle
- Gold 14yo 100m Breaststroke (just missing National Open Qualifying Time by 0.25s)
- 5th in 14yo 100m Freestyle 鈥� Achieved 14yo National Age Qualifying Time
- Gold in 14yo 50m Breaststroke
- 7th in 14yo 50m Freestyle
- Bronze in 14yo 200m Individual Medley (just missing National Age Qualifying Time by 0.08s)
- Claire also won the Waite Cup (Perpetual Trophy) for the Most Outstanding Breaststroke Performance at the 2023 State Championships
We congratulate Claire on these outstanding results!
Ms Meg Henderson
Secondary Sport Coordinator
From the Uniform Shop
Our full range is available on the SAC for you to purchase anytime.
To make an appointment for the school holidays only
please
Secondhand Uniforms
We currently have a huge range of secondhand uniforms available instore. Get in quick before it disappears!
吃瓜网 is proud to only work with suppliers who adhere to the Modern Slavery Act (anti-slavery), ensuring only ethical and sustainable products are available to purchase. We strive to recycle textiles where possible in order to reduce land fill.
SAC鈥橲 First Ever Fundraising Colour Run!
鉂わ笍馃А馃挋馃挏馃挌馃挍
Are you ready to join in the fun?!
SAC鈥檚 FIRST EVER COLOUR RUN will raise funds to support Mercy Works projects including, Catherine House, the Adelaide Day Centre and the Vinnies Women鈥檚 Crisis Centre. SAVE THE DATE: Monday 3 April at Victoria Park, 11:45 -2:30pm. We encourage everyone in our community to make a donation in support of the students via the SAC COLOUR RUN GO FUND ME PAGE:
鉂わ笍馃挍馃А馃挋馃挏馃挌 Parents and family members are welcome to join us!
Preparations for this event are in full swing and
our students are certainly having a ball!
From the Careers Department
Careers & VET Coordinator
Presenting to Careers and VET practitioners
Congratulations to Year 12 student Charley who presented to a large group of career practitioners at a recent network day held at the Motor Trades Association (MTA).
Charley spoke confidently about her experiences of undertaking a school based apprenticeship which involves work, training and completion of her SACE. At the end of Year 12 Charley hopes to convert her apprenticeship to full time so she may continue working for her host employer which is Volkswagen Solitaire. Charley was the first female school based apprentice signed with this wonderful host employer who have since taken additional students.
Andrew Parkes from MTA speaks very highly of Charley and incorporated her presentation into an educational day for practitioners who heard of the opportunities available within the motor trades industry.
School Holiday Workshops
Generation Dance have a great selection of school holiday workshops on offer from 17th to 20th April. Workshops in all genres, for all abilities and for all ages, lots of fun and a perfect way to keep entertained over the holidays. Bookings are now open and the early bird discount finishes on Sunday 26th March.
National Theatre Live - The Crucible
Last week over 80 students from Year 12 Drama and English attended an excursion at Palace Nova East End cinema to watch London鈥檚 National Theatre production of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Students were treated to a gripping and compelling production with fine acting and amazing set, props, sound and lighting. Students enjoyed the opportunity to look back at the 1690鈥檚 Salem witch trials and to discuss McCarthyism as well as connections to the #metoo movement. AsStacy Schiff states in her 2015 book: The Witches: Salem, 1692 鈥淭he New England woman had no political rights. She neither voted nor served on juries. [She was] Officially voiceless. Many of our students were curious to learn how much of Miller鈥檚 play is true. It turns out that all of The Crucible鈥檚 characters are drawn from history, most of them fairly accurately.
Mr Tom Coultas
Drama Coordinator
From the Music Department
Music Coordinator
Last week, the Music Department held its third SAC Laneway on a fabulous Friday evening. The action-packed line up featured all three SAC Rock Bands, as well as the Primary Band, Year 7/8 Band, Concert Band and Stage Band. Also performing on the evening were the Middle and Senior School Choirs, Catch 22, Drum Corps, and old scholars Ellie Stevenson and Kate Lewis.
As well as the action on the stage, there were games and activities for all, with the bouncy castle featuring as a highlight for many. The food stalls were also a great hit, and the fairly floss machine worked non-stop all evening. The SAC Op Shop was trading for those who were interested in grabbing a repurposed, recycled or upcycled bargain, with funds raised supporting Mercy Works.
With over 800 people attending, the evening was a terrific community occasion and it was wonderful to welcome so many families to the school for an opportunity to mingle and enjoy the great atmosphere. The main purpose of the evening was to raise money for the Senior Rock Band, The Unexpected, to head into the recording studios in the July school holidays to record some of their songs. Thank you to everyone who donated or purchased items on the night, and we now look forward to hearing The Unexpected鈥檚 tunes later in the year!
Huge thanks must also go to the many staff and students who helped out on the night and without whose support the evening could not have happened, and to Ms Nicole Wedding for her excellent organisation. Thank you and congratulations to all involved!
Ms Fiona Turner
Music Coordinator
