Mrs Catherine O'Kane
International tours
Over the Easter break, some of our students had the incredible opportunity to participate in immersive experiences overseas, where they developed their skills, learnt about different cultures, and created lifelong memories.
Two teams of AHSisters attended the Petero Civoniceva Foundation Touch Football Festival in Fiji, where they participated in training clinics and friendly matches with several local schools. Students were also warmly welcomed into a local village, where they learnt about village life, participated in traditional ceremonies and dances, and planted more than 100 trees as part of the national environmental conservation program.
Our Japanese cultural exchange was perfectly timed to coincide with Sakura (cherry blossom) season, with nature’s beauty providing a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Our students delighted in developing their Japanese language skills, experiencing the rich culture, delicious food, and Shinkansen (bullet trains), and visiting some of the country’s iconic landmarks, including Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, and several picturesque temples and shrines.
Meanwhile, other AHSisters participated in our USA Dance Tour to New York City where they toured Radio City Music Hall, participated in dance classes, and learnt about the importance of precision from a current Rockette. They also studied the Graham Technique, made famous by American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham, while finding time to take in the many sights of the Big Apple, including Central Park, Broadway and the Statue of Liberty.
We offer our deep thanks to all staff who organised and chaperoned our students, and we appreciate them generously giving their time to provide these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for our students:
Japanese Language Immersion
Ms Mitmannsgruber (tour organiser) and Mr Adamson.
USA Dance Tour
Ms Scott (tour organiser), Ms Day, and Ms Malone.
Fiji Touch Football Tour
Ms Couvalias (tour organiser), Mr Dart, Mrs Hiscox, Mrs McDonald and Mr Simmons-Bliss.
Year 11 Soiree
Excitement is building among our Year 11 students for this Saturday evening’s Soiree that will be held at Victoria Park Golf Club. It is always a highly anticipated event at which our students make lasting memories, with laughter, dancing and friendship taking centre stage. I thank Ms Havers and Mrs Liyanagedera for their organisation of the evening and the Heads of House, Leadership Team members and all staff who will be in attendance on the evening providing supervision.
While their daughters enjoy the Soiree, our Year 11 parents and caregivers will enjoy a special evening of Mercy hospitality at their year level event in the same precinct. I extend a special thank you to the Mothers’ Network and our parent volunteers for organising this very special event.
Mercy Partners Education Leaders Gathering
Last Thursday, All Hallows’ was proud to host a gathering of education leaders from Mercy Partners’ schools from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. This was a special occasion as it is the first time leaders from the nine Mercy Partners’ schools have come together to collaborate on topics including the use of Artificial Intelligence in education and the national education agenda, and the first gathering of education leaders since 2019.
While Mercy Partners was established by the Brisbane Sisters of Mercy, it is a multi-charism Public Juridic Person (PJP) that is now the canonical sponsor for schools founded by five different religious orders. Together with our School Board, I am very appreciative of the support and interest that the Mercy Partners Board take in our school and I am particularly appreciative of the interest that Mr Kieran McCarthy, Mercy Partners’ Deputy Chair, takes in all aspects of the life of our school as we seek to bring life to Catherine McAuley’s charism of Mercy in every aspect of our holistic education programs.
May God bless our school community this term and guide us to Listen with Curiosity, Speak with Courage and Act with integrity.
Mrs Catherine O’Kane (Principal)
