A Message from Ms Carolyn Liddy
For many staff and students, the term break included some exciting opportunities. Our dedicated languages department led a Japan Study Tour with students from Years 10 to 12. The tour provided fantastic travel adventures including a day at Universal Studios, a visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, attendance at the Hiroshima Carps v Tokyo Yomiuri Giants baseball match, and a Yukata dress up experience. There were many opportunities to develop travel and language skills using public transport and dining in local restaurants. I thank our dedicated teaching staff, Ms Lambert, Ms Fenton-Wolski and Ms Little for their careful supervision and detailed travel planning. Congratulations to the students who embraced every opportunity with curiosity, resilience, and enthusiasm.
Our Touch Football tour to Fiji was also an outstanding success due to the energy and enthusiasm of our touring students and also the supervising staff. I thank Mr Dart, Ms Lally and Mr Simmons-Bliss not only for their creative planning of an outstanding cultural and sporting tour but especially for their careful adjustments to the itinerary on a day to day basis due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Vaianu which brought flooding rains and high winds to many parts of Fiji. I have heard that our students embraced every opportunity whether it was a planned trip to Sigatoka Sand Dunes, a trip to Nadi, or a swiftly arranged new activity due to the weather. You may have seen some of the photos of the trip on our AHSTours Instagram page. It is clear to see from the smiles on our students as well as the local students, that there was a great deal of joy and connection throughout the tour.
The Consilio Pool and surrounds was also a hive of activity throughout the two weeks of our break as we were one of a number of venues for the Australian Water Polo Championships. Congratulations to the many AHS Water Polo teams who competed in these championships and many thanks to the supervising staff and coaches, Ms Lagai’aia, Ms Espar, Ms Jackson and Ms Murdoch. Our students also had the opportunity to participate in a Netball development clinic, a Hockey development clinic, and a Rowing safety development day camp. Thanks also to the staff who were responsible for the organisation of these opportunities: Ms Latter, Ms Sommerville, Ms Hale, Mr Pembroke, Mr Brown and Mr Russell.
Term 2 is always full of action and activity, and the first weeks of the term are no exception. For our older students, our Year 11 students enjoy their Soiree next Saturday 2 May and we are excited to be using a new venue this year, The Rivershed, at Howard Smith Wharves. Next week our Year 12 students will spend three days at their annual Retreat, which is always a highlight of their senior year.
Community Events
Next Tuesday, 28 April, our Past Pupils’ Association is hosting a network event as part of their ongoing ‘Sisters in’ series; the focus next week is Sisters in Spaces. This event provides an outstanding opportunity for current and past AHSisters to hear from their AHSisters who have forged paths of innovation and progression in the fields of architecture, urban design, planning, and construction.
The MC for the evening is Christina Na-Heon Cho (Class of 2000), the Keynote Speaker is Jen Williams (Class of 1998) and the panel will be Stephanie Skyring (Class of 1988), Jennifer Gillett (Class of 1993), Jo Street (Class of 1995), Frances Cassaniti (Class of 2008) and India Curtis (Class of 2021). Please consider coming along for an evening of storytelling, connecting and celebrating.
Thanks also to Past Pupils Engagement and Development Officer, Ms Carla Zafiriadis, and our Past Pupils’ Association Committee Member Katy McGree for their leadership of this important networking and information sharing event.
On Friday 8 May, more than a thousand members of our community will gather to celebrate the Mothers’ Network May Morning Tea. I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Kerrie Taylor, this year’s May Morning Tea Coordinator, for her outstanding leadership and care in bringing this cherished event to life. I also extend our sincere gratitude to the Mothers’ Network President Justine Douglas and the many dedicated volunteers whose time, creativity, and generous service ensure the continued success of this well-loved event each year. The May Morning Tea is always a special opportunity to gather in community and celebrate the mothers and mother figures who play such a vital role in our lives and the lives of our students. It is their love, guidance, and presence that we honour with warmth and gratitude.
ANZAC Day
This Saturday, as a nation, we will mark ANZAC Day - a day to remember the strength of the human spirit and the value of mateship, but above all else, it is a time to remember those who have fallen.
During the week, our students will represent our School at both the ANZAC Day Schools’ Ceremony at ANZAC Square today and at the ANZAC Day Mass at the Cathedral on Saturday. Our School assembly on Friday will provide an opportunity for our whole community to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many.
In this week, we pray for peace in our world and in our hearts, and I leave you with Pope Leo’s Prayer for Peace in the world:
Lord Jesus,
you conquered death without weapons or violence:
you shattered its power with the strength of peace.
Grant us your peace,
as you did to the women filled with doubt on Easter morning,
as you did to the disciples who were hiding in fear.
Send forth your Spirit,
the breath that gives life and reconciles,
that turns adversaries and enemies into brothers and sisters.
Inspire in us to trust in Mary, your mother,
who stood at the foot of your cross with a broken heart,
firm in the faith that you would rise again.
May the madness of war cease
and the Earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still
know how to bring forth, protect and love life.
Hear us, Lord of life!
Ms Carolyn Liddy (Deputy Principal)
