Principal’s Welcome

As 2020 draws to a close, I have been spending some time reflecting upon what has been a monumental and historical year; a year where every Victorian has made tremendous sacrifices in a concerted effort to combat a lethal virus. For over a hundred days we have all experienced a ‘hard lockdown’, with a nightly curfew and tough restrictions on exercise, shopping and visiting friends and family. Just about every industry has been affected by the pandemic, and education has been no exception. As a school, many of our students have had more than six months learning at home but some normality thankfully returned in late October Term 4 with all students learning on-campus for the first time since mid-March.

As I have reflected on what 2020 has meant, a long list of things ‘missed’ came firstly to mind – our Year 7s and our Year 12s for instance have missed milestone events, from camps, to dinners and farewells; these are rites of passage that are impossible to retrieve. All students have missed House events, concerts, the College musical and the simple things which make St Aloysius what it is – incidental chats, broad smiles,

Welcome to the Summer edition of Always Aloysius, a summer, I am sure, we are all certainly looking forward to!

laughter in corridors, buzzing classrooms and shared lunches. Perhaps if we were to rate 2020 out of five stars it would be lucky to receive one!

Nevertheless, as I have reflected more on 2020, I have come to believe perhaps I have been a little harsh in my marking. Yes, certainly things have been missed but other things have been learnt, and in certain areas there have arguably been improvements. As we celebrated New Year’s Day this year, no one could have predicted that just three months later we would need to move all learning online – a challenge that was not only met but ultimately exceeded every expectation. Our students met the challenge in a way they should be proud of – and in a way which shows how independent and resilient they truly are. Our staff adapted to the challenges thrown at them with the utmost professionalism and revealed fantastic role-modelling in being true lifelong-learners. Our community rallied around with the spirit that is genuinely St Aloysius. Our carbon-footprint has been reduced and our photocopying levels are permanently reduced. So perhaps 2020 has really been three stars!

Finally, I leave you with two items that are definitely five stars out of five! Firstly, this edition of Always Aloysius – despite our learning at home - is packed as always with wonderful stories and great work. Secondly, I would like to thank and recognise the outstanding contribution of Pauline Cutajar – Deputy Principal Wellbeing and Development -who will be leaving St Aloysius at the end of this year to join the Leadership Team at Shelford Girls Grammar School. We wish Pauline all the very best for the future and thank her for the wonderful commitment displayed daily to our students and staff – thank you Pauline. The unwavering support of St Aloysius Staff to our students has certainly been second to none, to all I say thank you.

To our Alumnae, thank you for keeping your connection with the College and for always being part of our wonderful, and proud community.

As this year has shown few things are constant, things change but what stays are the values of St Aloysius College.

Mary Farah

Principal

“Our students met the challenge in a way they should be proud of”