Alumni Events – Christmas in July & Class of 2018

Alumni News

Alumnae Marah Houlihan

(Class of 2004) Alumnae Marah Houlinan recently married her partner Simon in a fun-loving celebration at The Line. Among her guests were fellow St Aloysius students, Loretta, Abbey & Deb (all graduates from the class of 2004). The girls all met as students at the college and have remained close friends ever since. Congratulations Marah Houlihan!

Jourdane Roda

(Class of 2009)

Congratulations to Jourdane Roda who celebrated her wedding on November 9th she is looking forward to the honeymoon in January. We wish Jourdane, a lifetime of happiness. Thank you….

My sincere thanks to you, Mary, Rachel, Pauline and Sr Carmel for hosting a simply wonderful afternoon on Saturday. I felt very privileged to return to St Aloysius after 37 (!!!) years. While many aspects of the school had changed - revamped buildings, gorgeous greenery and landscaping, a STEM laboratory, new art rooms - the warmth, sincerity, enthusiasm and inclusivity of a Mercy welcome had not. In the company of Mrs Joan Seal (from the class of 1943), I thoroughly enjoyed the school tour, photo opportunities and afternoon tea. It was particularly kind and thoughtful of you Rose to locate artefacts from Joan’s and my school days. What a treasure trove of happy and meaningful memories the St Al’s archives must be. I am so grateful to you all for the preparation and care that you devoted to the afternoon, and for giving up your day to ensure a bunch of old girls enjoyed remembering and celebrating old times. One of the highlights for me was visiting the convent and chapel, and meeting Sisters Margaret and Moira (Dorothea).

Again, my warmest thanks to you Rose and to all the leadership team, and my very best wishes to all at St Aloysius. In being steered by such intelligent, driven, compassionate and kind women, your students are in very good hands. I look forward to keeping in touch.

Yours sincerely

Jacqui Thompson (Class of 1982)

If you have some “news” to share such as a recent marriage, engagement or birth of children please email: alumni@aloysius.vic.edu.au

Farewell to Camille Bradley

I was lucky enough to be interviewed and employed by Sr Helen Delaney in 1979 and I started teaching at St Aloysius College in 1980, so after 40 years teaching at St Aloysius, I have been grateful every day since for the opportunity she gave me.

Chris White was also employed in 1980 and we joined Leonie Charles who was already here as Head of PE. The three of us were the Sport & PE Department for over 30 years and together formed a formidable team.

As a team we reintroduced the House System and therefore House sporting competitions as well as in 1981 the SCSA Inter School competitions that still exist today.

In 1981 theory became an integral part of our assessment and that lead to the development of Physical Education as a VCE subject with the increase in the number of students studying Units 1-4 over the years. We introduced Ballroom Dancing and Self Defence at Year 10 plus several new sports in order to give our students a greater range of skill level development.

We began to give our students the opportunity to experience types of activities in the form of camps and excursions. Some were based at Torquay but most were at different locations depending on the activity and ranged from ski and horse riding camps to ice skating, roller skating and 10 pin bowling which became regular end of term outings.

In 1980, our “gym” was what is now the staff carpark that is a caged area behind the house next door and was both wet and cold and would be classified as a hazard today! We have always had to learn to adapt. I have always been very proud of what we were able to achieve in our department. In 1984 a storage warehouse on Boundary Rd was leased and converted into a gym and we could finally provide our students win a wider choice of activities.

In 1980 there were 76 staff members and the average class size was 32 and some were even 35! I was the pastoral teacher for 10 Green and one of the students in that class was Moira Kelly who was the founder of the Children First Foundation and who I am still very proud of as one of our Alma Mater. Every time I attended any of the school reunions that I was invited to, I was always very pleased to see what wonderful women our girls had become and as such, great ambassadors for St. Aloysius College.

I have taught some wonderful and talented students and met some amazing parents. I have had amazing support and encouragement. I have taught with some remarkable and dedicated teachers and made some memorable and lifelong friends. I have some very sad memories but overall very happy memories with wonderful stories to match. In particular, I would like to mention Michael Donovan, Michael Bernardi, and Sr Mae Maclean who are no longer with us but who were also wonderful ambassadors.

I have been part of St.Aloysius College for half my life and although the formal association is over, my personal connection will always exist. The College and all those who have been or who will be part of it are now part of me also. The lives of the friends I have made and the students I taught are now intertwined with me and will always be part of my life as well.

One of my favourite quotes is from a very brave and special girl who was a great inspiration to me because she was the same age as the students I was teaching when she began her journey for equality. I always thought she could have been any one of the girls from St.Aloysius and I hope she has inspired some them along the way.

The quote below is from Malala Yousafzai:

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”