2022 College Co-Captains

College Co-Captains

SAVANNAH CLARK, COLLEGE CO-CAPTAIN

I can distinctly remember the first time I heard the prefect speeches in Year Seven, sitting front row, listening, inspired to strive for greater things, and dreaming of the day I would become school captain! The little girl then would be so proud of me and my commitment to leadership in achieving this role! It has taught me teamwork, listening skills, and commitment beyond any of my past experiences – for that I am grateful and feel honoured by the community around me for selecting me to fill such big shoes! This year has had its trials and tribulations but as a Prefect Team we were able to manage the various obstacles that came forth in Year 12. Receiving this role last year, I wasn’t certain on everything that it would entail but it was an amazing and exciting journey! I am so honoured to have worked with such an amazing collective of people from my peers and the leadership team! It was the first out of recent years we finally weren’t affected by lockdowns which altered our studies and ability to fully connect as a community! It enabled me and the Prefect Team to truly be grateful for this opportunity which was evident through our never-ending hard work to make every college event, in our respective or collective areas, the best it could be! It demonstrated to us all the importance of physical communication and enabled us to really enact the wants and desires of our community! From seeking public opinions on St Aloysius Day, to helping fundraise for charities such as McAuley Community Services for Women and the House and Sport Prefects organising events to keep the school spirit alive- it was truly a beautiful experience to see our community back in action for our last hurrah! As I reflect on the past year, I am genuinely proud of our achievements, and of the opportunities for development of my own character this role has presented me! The foundation of my leadership throughout my years at St Aloysius, and my schooling itself, has had a pivotal role in me becoming a strong, ambitious, determined, and outspoken lady! It has given me confidence in my ability to help the people around me and inspired me as a woman of the 21st century. It has taught me, and the young ladies with me, to Strive for Higher Things. The Mercy values have been subconsciously ingrained in me, helping me to be the best person I can, and these values will stay with me for the rest of my life!

As I depart the College, I will miss being physically a part of this community and my role in this community very much! I have loved being a part of the St Aloysius community for the past six years, it has been my home for these fundamental years of my life. It has seen my struggles and achievements, my highs and lows – never failing to comfort and support me! The little fiery girl I always have been has been able to maintain her spark and this school has made it a quality not to fear, but one to be proud of, and has given me an avenue to pursue and voice my passions in life! So, I leave this year with the wise words we hear almost every single assembly, ‘once a Mercy girl always a Mercy girl.’ I wish the best of luck to all the current and emerging students of St Aloysius in their endeavours. Thank you St Aloysius College!

ALYSSA AMERICO, COLLEGE CO-CAPTAIN

My little Year 7 self always dreamed of becoming a leader of our College. She would be so proud of me as this dream became my reality! This year, I have had the incredible opportunity of being a College Co-Captain, rewarding me with experiences that I will forever be grateful for. 2022 has been a fresh start for a lot of us. Due to the impact of the pandemic upon our community, it has been a struggle to get back in the swing of things. Yet, the new year has brought about many exciting adventures being the first year back without lockdowns. We have been able to walk the St Aloysius halls again, bringing back the school spirit we have greatly missed. This has allowed our Prefect Team to interact with our community, as we learned through the previous years of communicating through pixels how truly important face-to-face connection is. We have been able to go from classroom to classroom, listening and acting upon everyone’s opinions and working as a collective to organise our fun College events. From St Aloysius Day to lunchtime house sports competitions, International Women’s Day to working with McAuley Community Services for Women, it has been such an enriching experience working alongside all of the wonderful prefects on various initiatives. We have built such a strong bond with each other, harnessing all of our individual talents and ideas to collaborate as a dedicated and supportive team. Graduating from St Aloysius College with a Prefect title to my name has given me the best opportunity to serve this school the same way it has served me. I have always loved being a part of our College community, wanting to do every single activity, and this year I strived for everyone to want to do the same. While Year 12 is a struggle in itself, our Prefect Team managed to push not only each other but our whole school community to take action and participate, building on a culture where everyone is afforded opportunities to immerse themselves in school life, fostering a community of passionate individuals. Working alongside this wonderful team and our whole school community has definitely been a highlight of my six years at the College that I will forever cherish. As we reflect on the difficult years we have faced and look forward to everything we want to go out into the world and do, we must remember to stay present and appreciate every moment. It feels like yesterday when I nervously announced my Prefect speech but here I am, graduating. Time goes fast and in the words of the number 1 ranked women’s tennis player Ash Barty, “There’s no need to look too far into the future or the past. Enjoy the moment.” And because I’m a massive Titanic fan, I can’t exclude Jack’s inspirational speech where he said “make each day count” because in no time you’ll be graduating too, so take on every opportunity! I will greatly miss being a part of our College community as I embark on the next stage of my life. However, I am grateful for all I have learned and have been able to achieve. I will be sure to carry this throughout my journey. After all, once a Mercy girl, always a Mercy girl!