Volume 30 Issue 10 Tuesday 26 March

Deputy Principal's Message

Ms Carolyn Liddy

Special Days for Years 10 and 11

This week, our Year 10 and 11 students will engage in two important events that are integral to their formation.

Yesterday, our Year 10s participated in their annual Day of Hope. Presenter Glen Gerreyn led our students through a powerful presentation in which students explored the effects that external influences and their own self-belief have on their decisions. Our students left the day with a refreshed energy and a renewed understanding of their limitless potential. Feedback from our students has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to witnessing their continued growth in the coming terms.

Meanwhile, tomorrow marks a fantastic event for our Year 11 students who will participate in the Amazing Race. This event is marked by challenge and teamwork and provides our students with an opportunity to cultivate essential skills such as problem-solving, strategic thinking, self-awareness, leadership development and trust.

Interhouse Cross Country Carnival

AHS spirit will be on full display this Thursday as we gather for the annual Years 5-12 Interhouse Cross Country Carnival. Throughout the week, we have seen good-natured house rivalry building as months of training come to fruition for our more competitive runners.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our sports team and all staff and coaches involved in organising this event, and would like to particularly commend our dedicated Cross Country, Sport and Spirit Captains whose leadership embodies the essence of our school community.

Tours

Over the Easter break, several enriching tours await our students, including the International Dance Tour to New York, the Touch Football Fiji Tour and our Japanese Study Tour.

These immersive experiences offer invaluable opportunities for cultural exchange, personal growth and lifelong memories. We extend our best wishes to all participants and express our gratitude to the organising and chaperoning staff who have worked tirelessly and selflessly to provide these wonderful opportunities for our students.

We cannot wait to hear about their adventures, and I look forward to sharing an update with you in the coming weeks.

Lenten and Easter Liturgy

As we bid farewell to Term 1 and embark on a well-deserved break, I extend my sincerest thanks to our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts. I also thank our students, families, and the wider community for their continued support and collaboration.

As we prepare to commemorate the culmination of our Lenten journey, I share with you an Easter prayer from Mercy Partners:

God of Infinite Love

As we walk our resurrection pathways

Give us eyes to see the blessings which accompany us

on our journey.

Grant us ears which are attuned to the calls

For justice

The cries of those made poor

The lament of the grieving

And the despair of those who have lost hope.

Direct our steps toward ways unfamiliar and challenging

So that we may embrace new opportunities

to show your face of mercy to the world.

Bless us on our resurrection journey

With open and loving hearts

To embrace those we encounter on the way.

May this Easter be a time of joy, reflection, and rejuvenation for all. We eagerly anticipate the return of our refreshed and eager students on Monday, April 15.

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Easter filled with peace and happiness.

Ms Carolyn Liddy (Deputy Principal).

Dean of Mission

Y7 Tour of the Convent

Student Reflections

Yesterday my Coolockian friends and I had the opportunity to go on a Mercy Heritage tour in the convent with Mrs Clem, Ms Weaver and Sister Mary Pescott. One of my favourite things we saw was the old uniforms and badges. These were so interesting to look at as they went back to the early years of All Hallows' to some of the most recent years … I had so much fun yesterday and learnt so much about the heritage of All Hallows', and how it originated back when Mother Vincent Whitty first arrived in 1861.

Lucy Charles (Y7 CO4)

In this tour, we went to the convent with Mrs Clem and Sister Mary Pescott and saw lots of beautiful things that are both physically and symbolically connected to the school. There were things like old school uniforms, old school badges, paintings of significant people, a wall of the sisters who have gone to heaven, letters and newspapers, and we also got to see the Chapel. Sister Mary Pescott showed us a special secret in the painting at the front of the chapel. There are angels' faces drawn into the clouds! … It was such a magical experience!

Ella Power (Y7 CO8)

The Heritage tour is an amazing way for students to learn about the history of All Hallows. It shows photos and items from the past that have a valuable story to tell. The paintings and images depict important Sisters of Mercy, including Catherine McAuley and Mother Vincent Whitty. It was an amazing experience having a Sister of Mercy there with us as well.

Neeve Tatnell (Y7 CO6)

When we were walking around the school, I felt like I was taken back to the nineteen hundreds. Learning about all of the corridors and rooms where students used to learn in was magical. It was so amazing learning about how Main Building was built and how they have adapted the school.

Did you know they used to be fully brown? Mrs Clem showed us around the mini-museum with all of the old badges, paintings and uniforms. There were four paintings of four different women. Catherine McAuley, Florence O'Reilly, Jane Gorry and Mother Vincent Whitty. They were such beautiful, gifted and kind-hearted women who have given me so many opportunities.

We went with Sister Mary Pescott into the Chapel and it was so quiet. I learnt about how the boarders had their own chapel corner. … I feel so lucky that I could go on this tour with Ms Weaver, Mrs Clem and Sister Mary Prescott. I have learnt so much about the history of my beautiful school, and I hope I can come back one day and tell the younger students about the beautiful buildings and paintings in our school.

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