Mrs. Catherine O'Kane
Dear Parents and Caregivers
I am honoured and humbled by the news of the Board’s endorsement of my appointment as Principal through to December 2031 and extend my heartfelt thanks to the Board for their ongoing trust, guidance and support. It is a privilege to serve our All Hallows’ School community and continue Catherine McAuley’s work nurturing young women of faith, compassion, learning and leadership. It is also a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
To our dedicated staff, I give heartfelt thanks for your ongoing dedication and expertise and for sharing your gifts with our community. To our AHSisters, your enthusiasm and resilience inspire me daily. To our parents, caregivers, and wider community, your ongoing support is invaluable, and I am grateful for our continued partnership.
2025 School Captains
It is a week of joyful news and celebration here at All Hallows’. With the announcement only taking place this morning, I am delighted to announce that Katherine Dunn and Isabella Ikin will be our School Captains for 2025.
I was so impressed by the confidence and commitment to servant leadership all of our shortlisted candidates demonstrated in the School Captain interview process last week, and I congratulate Katherine and Isabella on their appointments.
Throughout our extensive Year 11 leadership development program, it has been clear that our Class of 2025 is ready to follow in the leadership footsteps of our current seniors, who continue to live out their spirit theme of 24 Like Never Before, bringing great spirit and enthusiasm to so many aspects of school life.
We pray for God’s blessings on Katherine, Isabella, and our entire Class of 2025 as they commence their leadership journey in the coming weeks.
CaSSSA Athletics Interschool Carnival
Congratulations to our Athletics Team for their performance at the CaSSSA Athletics Interschool Carnival yesterday. In extremely challenging wet and windy conditions, our All Hallows’ team gave their all in every event and should be very proud of their achievements to come third overall. I would like to thank Mr Simmons-Bliss (Acting Head of Sport), our Sports Team and all our Athletics coaches and staff for their work with our athletics squad over what has been a very successful season with high levels of engagement and involvement. I also give thanks to our Athletics Captains and the whole of our CaSSSA squad for their dedication and commitment throughout the season.
Staff Retreat
This Friday, our staff will use the Student Free Day to participate in a retreat at Mt Coot-tha, centred around the theme of ecology. This retreat provides a valuable opportunity for our staff to connect with nature, reflect on our responsibilities as stewards of the environment, and strengthen our community bonds through shared spiritual experiences. A special thank you to Mrs Clarie Easton, Dean of Mission, who has overseen preparations for this very important day.
Dr Lee Anne Perry AM Leadership and Service Award
It gives me great pleasure to announce that Ava Allen (Class of 2022) has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Dr Lee-Anne Perry AM Leadership and Service Award.
Ava is currently a Bachelor of Medical Studies student at Bond University, where she continues her involvement in social justice activities through a range of community outreach programs, mentorship for disadvantaged students, and advocacy for equitable healthcare and education for remote and First Nations communities. Ava’s project is to use the $5,000 award prize to conduct a series of workshops in rural and remote communities to provide education on preventable medical conditions and to develop clinical skills, including wound care, ear checks, sun safety workshops, and lung and chest examinations.
Ava’s focus on early health intervention reflects our Mercy ethos of respect for human dignity, addressing disadvantage, demonstrating compassion and creating a stronger, more just society.
The Dr Lee-Anne Perry AM Leadership and Service Award is generously funded by our Past Pupils’ Association and acknowledges the contributions of our many past pupils who are actively living out our Mercy ethos and improving the lives of others in our local and global community. We thank Ms Tron Fisher, President, and all members of the Past Pupils’ Association Executive for their ongoing and generous support of this award.
Queensland Catholic Schools & Colleges Music Festival
From Thursday to Sunday this week, our talented music students will take part in the Queensland Catholic Schools & Colleges Music Festival. As the largest music festival in the Southern Hemisphere for Catholic schools and colleges, it remains the premier event on our annual music calendar.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms. Neil, Head of Culture, and our ensemble leaders for their countless hours of rehearsals to prepare our students. We also thank all staff and parents who will be supporting our students by attending the festival sessions. I congratulate our musicians for their dedication and hard work over the past year and am looking forward to attending sessions across the coming weekend. We wish all students and staff who will be performing all the very best.
Please enjoy your day off tomorrow for the Exhibition Holiday. Whether you indulge in a strawberry sundae at the Ekka or spend the day relaxing with family and friends, I hope it is a day of rest, rejuvenation, and reflection on the many gifts our community is blessed to receive.
May God bless you and your family in the week ahead.
Mrs. Catherine O’Kane (Principal).
