A warm invitation to the wider College community to hear the words from College Principal, Mary Farah, delivered at today's High Achievers' Assembly.
Good morning and welcome to our first assembly for 2026. I hope you all have had a wonderful start to this academic year. There is a specific kind of magic in the air at the start of a new year - a blend of nerves, reunions, and a quiet promise of what is yet to come.
We extend a special welcome to our distinguished guests, our dedicated parents, and most notably, the high-achieving Alumnae of the Class of 2025.
This year, we welcome many new faces into the St Aloysius family. To our new staff: Thank you for choosing St Aloysius. We are eager to learn from your fresh perspectives and the new energy you will bring to our community. To our new students in Year 8 and beyond: We welcome you, and we hope you have already begun to feel the warmth of the St Aloysius welcome. To our Year 7 cohort: You are a historic group—our largest in over twenty years. You are a unique spark of possibility added to our 139-year story. We encourage you to be fearlessly curious. Ask the difficult questions, try the instrument you’ve never touched, and trust that you are surrounded by a safety net of support as you grow into the people you are called to be.
Today, we pause to celebrate the Class of 2025. Your results did more than just place you at the pinnacle of the State; they proved that our motto, to "strive for higher things" is not just a motto, but a way of life. Nearly two centuries ago, in 1839, Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, wrote of the importance of "Reach." She believed in the call to grasp every opportunity and to push beyond the boundaries of our comfort zones. You, our High Achievers, are the living example of that spirit. Like St Aloysius himself, who reached out to the marginalised with selfless love, you have shown that a life of value is built on three pillars: dedication, resilience, and a positive heart.
To our graduates: Follow your dreams with the same tenacity you showed in your studies. Stay true to your internal compass, and above all, be Merciful. To their families: These achievements belong to you too. Thank you for the unwavering belief you have in our school, and for walking alongside your children every step of the way.
To our current Year 12s: your final chapter is here. It is short, it is intensive, and it will fly by. As you look at the Dux of 2025 today, do not just look with admiration. Look with the understanding that exactly one year from today, one of you will be standing in that very spot. Success is not a matter of luck; it is a matter of design. Plan ahead, stay committed to your why, and reach for the potential that we already see within you. You are beneficiaries of a rich history and co-creators of a bold future. You all should be incredibly proud of who you are now, and all the growth you have made to this point. Good luck for 2026.
Our theme for this year is Mercy Unfolding: The Blessing of Unity Dwells Amongst Us. This invites us to recognise that unity is revealed through how we treat one another—namely with compassion, respect and generosity of spirit. In the Mercy tradition, unity is grounded in relationship, in listening deeply, and in acting with justice and care of every person.
As we look forward to the milestone opening of our Senior Years Campus, let us ensure that we aren't just building new walls, but building a stronger community—one grounded in deep listening, justice, and radical compassion.
May 2026 be a year where Mercy unfolds in every classroom, every conversation, and every heart.
May it be a year of profound belonging, extraordinary growth, and shared joy.
Welcome to 2026.
Mary Farah
College Principal