Alumni Profile: Rina Prinzi

As part of the St Aloysius Day 135 Year Celebrations, students, staff and special guests were treated to a speech by teacher Rina Prinzi, who has experience life at St Aloysius as a student, teacher, and parent within our community. Rina and her two daughters, Jessica and Cassandra treated the College community to a performance of the St Aloysius College Anthem, which was written by Jeff & Joanne Neal for the Centenary in 1987 and which remained the school song until 2009. Rina, Jessica and Cassandra were accompanied by January Ma on the piano. Below, Rina shares her St Aloysius Story.

Having spent two-thirds of my life as part of the St Aloysius community, as a student, staff member and a mum; it is an honor to be part of the celebrations of the 135th anniversary of St Aloysius College. Some may think I am ancient, but no, I wasn’t at St Al’s when it was co-Ed, however I do remember the toilets with the boys’ sign and wondering why. I have journeyed with the sisters of Mercy through Primary, Secondary and Tertiary studies and worked in their employ for all my teaching life here at St Al’s.

My parents chose St Al’s because it went through to Year 12. Dad migrated to Australia, hoping for better opportunities. He had little schooling but was very educated in life skills, and I am grateful that he gave me the choice to go on to tertiary studies, despite the mentality of the day that girls didn’t need an education! It was 1969, Sr Eileen Harrington was principal and there were over 1000 students! The school entrance was at Brougham St which is now Gate 5. As a student I have many wonderful memories:

In 1973 I was very excited to be part of the first musical performance in our new school hall. An original play called AMARA written by Jeff & Joanne Neal. In the same year I was Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! I recently received copies of the programs which put a smile on my face, not as glossy as the ones we have today but precious, nevertheless. My last performance at the College was in the musical 1984, adapted by Jeff from the George Orwell book by the same name.

Alumni Profile

RINA PRINZI, CLASS OF 1974

Rina Prinzi (middle), performing with daughters Jessica (left) and Cassandra (right)

I have very fond memories of: • Sr Barbara waiting near the chapel door and saying “Good morning girls, now go in and say good morning to God before you go to class” • Sr Dosethea, with her metre ruler checking the length of our skirts and if not touching the ground when kneeling it was off to the textiles room to let it down!! • Sr Dorothea, teaching two classes at once standing in the doorway between Rooms 20 & 21 (the new textiles room) I have witnessed many changes: • 1970 the Science Lab Block along

Brougham St was built • 1971 Sr Helen Delaney became principal • 1973 this Hall, Library (DTI Centre) and Home Economics block was built • 1974 the Admin and Office Block and a Migrant Room • I saw Sr Helen go grey, it seemed like almost overnight, overseeing the works…. I hope the same doesn’t happen to Mary! • While away at Teacher’s College in 1977 the Senior Classrooms were built. With the dedicated staff, especially music teacher Joanne Ryan-Neal who, recognizing my vocal talent, encouraged me and got me through HSC - High School Certificate, now VCE, 1974. I was offered a place at MICE (Mercy institute of catholic education, now ACU) & at Melba Conservatorium. Unsure of which path to take, I thank Sr Helen Delaney, my principal and mentor, for helping me decide to go into teaching and then putting her trust in me by offering me a position at St Al’s when I graduated. And as she suggested I did follow my heart and later, graduated from the College of the Arts with an Associate Diploma in Opera and Music Theatre.

I returned to St Al’s as a staff member in 1978. Saw a change in leadership in 1980 when Sr Frances Baker took over the reins. To think my appointment at St Al’s was supposed to be a 6-month replacement position teaching Music & RE and I am still here teaching Italian, Math and RE, which remains the constant!

In my teaching years I was given the opportunity to use my gifts and talents and was involved with all the school productions from wardrobe mistress (despite not being very good with a needle & thread – Mrs. G can confirm that!) to vocal coach. I have held positions of responsibility such as Assistant REC overseeing Years 7-9, Liturgy Coordinator, Junior Music Coordinator and Choir Director. I have loved and gained much experience in each of these roles but am most at home in the classroom, seeing the girls’ faces eager to learn; it is where I hope to impart knowledge and challenge each of the students in my care, to be the best they can possibly be, not just academically but also as future citizens. St Al’s has been part of the highs and lows in my life. When I tried to resign in 1987 Sr Francis asked me why. I explained that mum’s Alzheimer’s was taking its toll on dad and me; she gave me leave on compassionate grounds but not before I assured her I would not leave before the Centenary Celebration, June of that year. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

It was one of the highlights in my professional life to be Cantor and Congregational Conductor at the Cathedral and then to perform on the Hamer Hall stage accompanied by two of the music teachers. Sr Frances said, she would accept my resignation after my leave, if that was what I wanted. During my leave, Dad and I took mum to Italy for a final visit with family and I met Piero who is now my husband. Needless to say, I withdrew my resignation! St Al’s has seen me through mum & dad’s passing, my wedding, and the birth of three children.

My daughters Jessica & Cassandra, also proudly attended St Al’s. Jessica, my eldest, wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. She was offered places at other schools but chose St Al’s because it offered both academic & performing arts possibilities. Jessica graduated in 2008 and as it is she took on both pathways graduating from Melbourne Uni with a Bachelor of Science and then completing a Bachelor Musical Theatre in Ballarat!

Cassandra said, “if it’s good enough for Jess, it will be good enough for me!” The only thing she wasn’t thrilled about was the size of her uniform, stating, at the end of VCE “hey ma, I’m still waiting to grow into it” and of course she wasn’t allowed to leave the house without her blazer and, no rolling up her skirt! Well, I did say they could come to St Al’s so long as they didn’t embarrass me; what a mean mum! Cassandra went on to be College Co-Captain in 2013 and graduated from RMIT with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (honors) She has set up her own studio, making Contemporary Jewelry as well as continuing with her singing. Both girls have inherited my love for music and singing and participated in all the school productions. Jess’ best part was playing Miss Hannigan in Annie; she was such a good drunk it had me worried! Cassandra’s highlight was playing Maria in the Sound of Music. Both productions were under the direction of Andrew Dalhunty & January Ma. They were also part of the choir and some of the sports teams. St Al’s enabled them to choose the path that was right for them and contributed to the success they are experiencing today. I thank God …. and I am very proud of both. My third child Max would come down from St Michael’s and wait for me after school. He thoroughly enjoyed being the centre of attention with the girls. He was very disappointed and couldn’t understand why he couldn’t come here, even though I explained, it was an all-girls school! … well things are changing, and I am excited to be part of this historic moment.

I have made lasting friendships with colleagues from our sister school in Milan. I was delighted to be involved in establishing a Memorandum of Understanding and, of course, taking our students over to experience the Italian culture and language firsthand.

I have been nurtured and guided, by five very diverse principals Sr Helen, Sr Frances, Sr Joan, John Davidson, and Mary Farah, each who have continued to live the Mercy values of Compassion,

Respect, Hospitality, Courage, Service and Justice despite the many changes of class sizes, building constructions and education curriculums. The essence of care to guide our students to be the best they can possibly be, has never wavered. This is also thanks to the dedicated staff I have worked with over the years and with whom I continue to work.

I have taught some mums and aunts, of our current students! I have been elated when at reunions, they recall the fond memories of our lessons and express their joy at knowing I am teaching their daughters. Others have said “Mrs. Prinzi, whatever you did with our first daughter, do with this one!”. Plus a card that I received from a student on International Teacher’s Day which said, “Technology has made it easier for students to learn with devices new, but nothing can come close to the experience of being taught by an inspirational teacher like you. Thank you”

These are the things that lift my spirits and give me the strength and drive to keep on teaching in the hope of continuing to inspire my students. And as the saying goes “Once a St Al’s girls always a St Al’s girl!”