The Hallowian 2020: Vol II - Flipbook - Page 8
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Throughout this
tumultuous year,
with faith in God as
our guide, our School
community understood
and embraced the simple
fact that we are better
together.
honours and celebrates the lives
of the AHSisters who have passed
away while they were students at
our School.
Principal’s Report
CATHERINE O’KANE
PRINCIPAL – ALL HALLOWS’ SCHOOL
There is no debating 2020 was
a year of trials and surprises, so
it was a joy to shift our focus to
its silver linings recently as we
farewelled our Year 12 girls and
their families.
Chief among them, the importance
of friendship and community in
enduring life’s inevitable tests. I
think 100-year-old Past Pupil Mary
McKeering said it best in a video
message for our Class of 2020,
played to a delighted audience
at their final school assembly in
November. Her message contained
many glittering gems—those
timeless words of wisdom that
illustrate why we place such
importance on our AHSisterhood.
6
The Hallowian | 2020
‘Keep in touch with the Past Pupils
because, well, things are not easy
in life’, Mary said. ‘You’ve got
other girls who were your mates
at school putting up with the
same things, so it’d be a big help
you’ve got somebody else besides
yourself that’s carrying on. I’d
certainly recommend you keep in
touch with your friends’.
Our Class of 2020 has drawn
strength and comfort, in equal
measure, from their bonds of
friendship, which served them well
in navigating the unfamiliar and
unknown. For the first time since
1972, Year 12 students faced the
prospect of external exams and
our girls did so with optimism and
determination. Of course, they
were well supported by the past
four years of preparatory work
from our dedicated staff and the
love, care and optimism of their
parents and caregivers.
As the first Preps, first Year 7
high schoolers, first cohort to
receive an ATAR and first in 100
years to graduate amid a global
pandemic, our trailblazing Class
of 2020 will long be remembered
for their outstanding leadership
and gratitude and their thoughtful,
compassionate hearts.
Our 2020 School theme of ‘Respect
Always, Love Deeply’ enlivened
students, families and staff alike
to finish Term 4 as a whole school
community, brought closer than
ever in these extraordinary times.
Their fortitude shone every day
and in difficult economic times,
the generous support given by our
community to our 2020 Whole
School Project ‘Ignition Mission—
Fueling Justice for Romero’ was
truly heartwarming. It allowed the
purchase of a new people mover
for the Romero Centre—a Mercy
Community ministry that provides
a welcoming sanctuary for the
most vulnerable and marginalised.
The new vehicle supports access
to crucial services, both at Romero
and other agencies, and allows
staff to reach out to isolated
clients—a wonderful outcome in
a year when we were so keenly
aware of how important it is to
connect and belong. I am most
appreciative of the generous
donation by the Past Pupils’
Association to the whole school
project in 2020.
Another 2020 highlight was the
completion of the first stage of
the Facilities Master Plan. Our five
new science labs in Aquinas and
the renovation and extension of
the Tuckshop and Café 547 provide
students with modern, functional
spaces now and well into the
future. We also now have our
beautiful Magnolia Place, a sacred
space for quiet reflection which
Throughout this tumultuous year,
with faith in God as our guide, our
School community understood and
embraced the simple fact that we
are better together.
The inspiring Class of 2020 has
shown its dedication, resilience
and spirit. They are now blessed
with the opportunity to continue
strengthening their bonds as
worthy and welcome additions
to our wonderful Past Pupils’
Association and, while the future
remains uncertain, AHSisters know
they can rely on one another to
point out life’s many silver linings.
‘Glorious’ - Lip Dub by the students