Welcome back to Term 3. I trust that you and your families enjoyed a restful break.
I am pleased to share that on Thursday, 9 July, the College officially received the keys to our new Senior Years Campus.
It gives me immense pride to announce that our new campus will be known as Altiora, a name inspired by our College motto, Ad Altiora — Strive for Higher Things.
Altiora captures the very heart of Mercy Education. It is a place where students will be challenged to think deeply, pursue excellence with humility, lead with courage, remain endlessly curious, become brilliant and serve with compassion, continuing the enduring legacy of the Sisters of Mercy by striving always for higher things in learning, character, faith, and service.
Its opening comes at a particularly significant moment in our College's history. In 2027, St Aloysius College will proudly celebrate 140 years of Mercy Education in North Melbourne.
Altiora stands as both a tribute to this remarkable legacy and a bold investment in the future, ensuring that the vision first established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1887 continues to inspire generations of young people to come.
We are now awaiting the final Certificate of Occupancy and approval from the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA), the independent statutory authority responsible for regulating education and training in Victoria, before we are able to commence classes for our senior students in the new facility.
In anticipation of these final approvals, the College has undertaken extensive planning to ensure a smooth and well-organised transition for our senior students. As soon as all official documentation has been received, we will implement the transition of our Year 11 and Year 12 classes into the new campus. Comprehensive communication outlining all logistical arrangements, operational procedures, student expectations, and key dates will be provided to students and families by members of the College Leadership Team, ensuring everyone is well informed and supported throughout the transition.
The official opening of Altiora will take place on the 4th August, when we will be honoured to welcome a Member of Parliament to join our College community in marking this historic milestone.
To ensure that learning programs and the examination preparation of our VCE students are not disrupted, we will provide parents and guardians with an opportunity to tour the new campus at a suitable time following the official opening.
Term 3 will witness many significant events and milestones across the College, including the continued preparation of our senior students for their VCE examinations, a range of learning and co-curricular opportunities, and the exciting transition into our new senior learning spaces. We look forward to working in partnership with you to support every student's growth, achievement and wellbeing throughout the term. I wish all students, families and staff a successful, productive and rewarding Term 3.
Mary Farah
College Principal