The Hallowian 2020 - Flipbook - Page 8
be completed in Term 2, 2020. A
special feature will be plinths that
record the names of AHSisters who
have passed away while students at
our School.
As five new science labs in
Aquinas building and the extensive
Tuckshop
renovation
reach
completion, work continues on
redevelopment designs for the
Potter Building to incorporate the
Library, Makerspace, Blue Chip and
our Sports Department, with work
expected to commence in Term 4,
2020.
CATHERINE O’KANE
PRINCIPAL – ALL HALLOWS’ SCHOOL
2019 provided many opportunities
for us to celebrate and grow in
faith and love, as individuals and
as a community. Our 2019 School
Theme, Journey with Courage
and Compassion, challenged us to
step outside ourselves and into a
closer connection with each other.
In a year in which we celebrated
200 years since the birth of the
founder of our School, Mother
Vincent Whitty, we drew inspiration
from her journey of courage and
compassion to Australia from
Ireland in 1861.
Our Whole School Project, Building
Bingavia, reflected this theme
6
The Hallowian | 2019
in raising funds for renovations
and improvements at Mercy
Secondary School in Yarapos, East
Sepik Province, PNG, founded by
the Brisbane Congregation of the
Sisters of Mercy in 1963. Today,
the school educates over 700
determined young women, 600 of
whom are boarders because a daily
journey home is impossible.
Courage and compassion found their
way into our 2019 School Captains’
Spirit Theme, #handinhand. Our
students wholeheartedly embraced
the concept of journeying ‘in
partnership’, ‘together’ and ‘sideby-side’ throughout the year, under
the exemplary leadership of 2019
School Captains Ella Proberts and
Abbey Wellington.
Academically, the Class of 2019
achieved exceptional results. 95%
of our eligible students received
an OP1—15, 75% were in the
OP1—10 category, 38% with an
OP1—5 and the median OP score
was 7. I thank and congratulate the
teachers, support staff and parents
who mentored these young women
on their journey and pray for the
ongoing health, happiness and
success of our newest past pupils.
While our focus was squarely on
“
“
Principal’s Report
Our students
wholeheartedly embraced
the concept of journeying
‘in partnership’, ‘together’
and ‘side-by-side’
throughout the year.
the needs of the Class of 2019, our
talented educators and professional
staff worked diligently to prepare
for the new Queensland Certificate
of Education system of senior
assessment, when our Class of 2020
will be the first cohort to achieve an
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
(ATAR).
Work on our Facilities Master
Plan was reimagined to factor
in the recent acquisition of 501
Ann Street, and we now have a
blueprint to improve and expand
facilities for current and future
students. The new reflection
garden, named Magnolia Place, will
For over 150 years, Adderton has
been an important part of the social
and ecclesial fabric of Brisbane
and Queensland, first as the home
of the Fullerton family and then
as the All Hallows’ Convent, the
foundation house of the Sisters
of Mercy Brisbane Congregation.
Now, as Adderton: house & heart of
mercy, it has been transformed into
an amazing multi-use exhibition,
art and reflection space which
will nurture the spirit and inspire
creativity. We congratulate the
Sisters of Mercy on the completion
of this important project in August
2019.
I make special mention of Past
Pupils’ Liaison, Lenore Thompson,
who decided to step down from
the role at the end of 2019. For 22
years, Lenore has worked tirelessly
to foster enduring connections and
a sense of community between
past pupils and our School. We
are fortunate that we will not
lose her talents, as she continues
in a part-time role as Foundation
Office Manager. I am delighted to
welcome past pupil (Class of 1977)
Maree Nugent as our new full-time
Past Pupils’ Liaison and I know that
Maree is looking forward to working
with our Past Pupils’ Association
and creating new opportunities for
past pupils of all ages to connect
with our School.
We are blessed to have the support
of a dynamic Past Pupils’ Association
which unites and reconnects us
through reunions and special
events, such as the International
Women’s Day breakfast. Each year,
I have the privilege of meeting past
pupils from across the generations
and I am always struck by the fond
memories they have of their time
at All Hallows, the strength of their
connections to each other and the
School, and how All Hallows’ values
continue to influence their lives.
At the Assembly of Catholic
Professionals’ luncheon in July
2019, the guest speaker was
Samantha Cohen (Class of 1985)
who worked for almost two
decades in the private office of
Buckingham Palace, eventually as
Assistant Private Secretary to the
Queen. Samantha fondly recalled
drawing early inspiration from her
All Hallows’ teachers, who were
mostly Sisters of Mercy, and how
they were such strong women and
powerful role models for her in life.
During the year I was also thrilled
to accompany 97-year-old past
pupil, Bernice Malouf (Class of
1939), on a wonderful trip down
memory lane as she visited our
School.
Now
Sydney-based,
Bernice who boarded from 1935 to
1939, recalled one of her fondest
memories of her time at All Hallows
was studying art in The Studio
with William Bustard as her art
teacher—we are fortunate to have
three of his renowned watercolours
hanging in prominent positions in
the School today.
It is lifelong connections such as
these that make All Hallows such a
special community and pay tribute
to the legacy created by Mother
Whitty almost 160 years ago.
Mrs Catherine O’Kane
Principal