Welcome to Term 4

I hope you all enjoyed a safe and happy break with your daughters and sons.

It's difficult to believe that the end of secondary school for Year 12 students is here. Although each school year is similar in routine and procedure, each group is as unique and individual as fingerprints. Each cohort is an extended family and community who live, play, work, and coexist together for nearly six years at St ¹û¶³APP.

As the Class of 2024 concludes their final classes today, I would like to congratulate all the students on their achievements, and I hope that they are well prepared for their final examinations. As part of farewelling and celebrating their time as students at St ¹û¶³APP, a special assembly has been organised on Monday to farewell the Class of 2024, followed by the Graduation Mass and Valedictory Dinner on Thursday. I thank all the parents who will be ending their association with the College as their daughters conclude their secondary education at St ¹û¶³APP and thank them for their support; you will always be part of the extended St ¹û¶³APP and Mercy family.

Last week, we celebrated our Annual Art and Technology Exhibition. I was pleased to see the very large number of interested family members that attended the opening. The display of talent, skill, and commitment to the task at hand was a wonder, and we can all be very proud of the talented artists and technicians we have at our College. Congratulations to the students and staff involved in any way with this event, under the leadership of the Technology Learning Leader, Ms Joanna Grujovski, and the Art Learning Leader, Ms Maria Cunnington. It was fantastic, and you can be rightly proud.

Somewhat coincidentally, today, Friday 18 October, is St Luke’s name day. St Luke is often represented by an ox or a calf, symbols of sacrifice, reflecting the sacrificial themes present in his Gospel. But St Luke, as the first artist to create icons of the Blessed Mary, is also the Patron of the Arts! Luke is also frequently depicted with a pen or book, representing his role as an evangelist and writer – a true inspiration.

St Luke lived in a time of turmoil and conflict, and sadly there is now little change from his experience in the part of the world he would have known very well. War and conflict continue across the globe, so we pray for the healing of the wounds of war, both physical and emotional. We ask God to send comfort to those who have lost loved ones and bring solace to the hearts of those who are grieving.

Mary Farah
College Principal