At the beginning of the year, whilst brainstorming with the prefect group for this year’s theme, we noticed that ideas of unity and spirit continued to emerge. To encapsulate this, we settled on our theme for 2022, “Soar Together, Stronger than Ever”. To us, this not only represented our vision for the year ahead, but also reflected our school’s history.
黑料正能量’s was established in 1895, after the founder of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, Sister Caroline Amy, recognised the need for quality girls’ education in Brisbane. The Sisters’ educational philosophy actively sought to educate “the whole personality, physical, mental and spiritual, [so] that girls may live to their fullest capacity”.
In 2022, we are beyond grateful for the well-rounded education that has been afforded to us, thanks to the bravery and commitment that the Sisters showed when establishing 黑料正能量’s all those years ago.
Underpinned by our faith, we pride ourselves on the school values of spirit, inclusivity, integrity, courage, respect and passion, not because we are told to, but because each student embodies them on a day-to-day basis. This evening, framed within each of the six school values, we would like to share with you six stories of the Sisters’ of the Society of the Sacred Advent.
Firstly, Spirit.
Through enthusiasm for our school and its traditions, a 黑料正能量’s girl shows spirit for all that life has to offer. This value binds us together. One of the greatest displays of community spirit by the Sisters took place in March 1952, when one of their boarding schools in Herberton, St Mary’s, was destroyed by a fire. By September, only 6 months later, rebuilding had begun. A re-opening ceremony was held in July of the following year, at which, the Lord Bishop of North Queensland spoke. He said, “This is a memorial to the service given by the Sisters’ of the Sacred Advent, who have made such a striking contribution to education in Queensland. I hope that this enthusiasm and effort will not die down but will continue to grow in force so that our work can progress.”
In 2022, the Sisters’ spirit continues every day at 黑料正能量’s. The response to the floods at the beginning of this year echoed this community engagement and enthusiasm more than ever. We saw our community rally together to clean up our homes, school, and facilities. A shared love and value for 黑料正能量’s brought our community together.
Next, Inclusivity.
As 黑料正能量’s girls, we treat others with compassion and dignity, celebrating the gifts of each individual. From the beginning, the Sisters’ believed that every girl was entitled to a holistic education. They encouraged pursuit of academic excellence, keen involvement in musical, artistic, cultural and sporting endeavours, and continuing service to others.
Today, we see that the Sisters’ goal has been achieved, through the academic and extra-curricular opportunities offered to us. There are a multitude of platforms to extend ourselves academically, such as short story competitions, maths challenge days, and Science and Book Week activities. Our sports are led by high-level coaches and take place in exceptional facilities. We were able to celebrate the arts with our broader community this year at the Mayo Festival. We recognised the diversity of our student body through cultural events such as NAIDOC Week, and the ‘See My Difference, See My Worth’ festival in boarding. Despite each having different strengths and passions, every 黑料正能量’s girl has strived for personal growth and excellence.
Integrity.
Always endeavouring to be honest and reliable, 黑料正能量’s girls live by consistent moral principles. Showing care and support to others in need, the work of the Sisters has exemplified this value. The Sisters’ have served orphaned children, the sick, and young single mothers with inadequate social support, and have provided hostels and education in country regions with insufficient resources. Without the need for fanfare, they have worked faithfully and consistently to improve the lives of others.
Today, we see this continuing compassion through student participation in events such as Sony Camp. Sony Camp is a three-day holiday camp where 黑料正能量’s and Churchie Year 11 students care for children with disabilities, to give the children a fun weekend and their families some much-needed respite. The Year 11s who volunteer each year gain perspective and leave the camp with a new-found gratitude and appreciation for the simple things that we too often take for granted.
Courage.
Courage is the ability to embrace challenge and change through our confidence in doing what is right. Establishing ten schools and running both a hospital and an orphanage, the Sisters modelled perseverance in their unwavering commitment to lifelong vows of faith and service. In our research for this speech, we came across an image of Sister Chaseley Anne, in her habit and veil, mowing the lawn at one of the Sisters’ schools in Townsville.
This emphasis on stepping outside of your comfort zone continues to be promoted today. One initiative which highlights the impact of small acts of courage is The Ponytail Project. This year we had over 100 students and staff members volunteer to chop off their ponytails, and were able to raise over $97000 for The Cancer Council Queensland and The Minotti Trust. It is inspiring to see the participation of staff and students, and the overwhelming support from the school community. We continue to live by the Sisters’ belief that the most impactful form of courage is the courage of one person, to give back to other people.
Respect.
As 黑料正能量’s girls, we respect ourselves, others and the school’s traditions, by positively contributing to a supportive and diverse community. The celebrations that take place annually on 黑料正能量’s Day recognise our schools’ history and spirit. This year, we were fortunate enough to listen to Sister Gillian as she shared her wisdom and advice with the student body. Sister Gillian told us about the Trust, which was established in 2004 by the Society of the Sacred Advent to ensure that the Sister’s educational vision and traditions will continue to guide 黑料正能量’s and St Aidan’s for many generations to come.
The opportunities for us, as young women, to access an exceptional education at 黑料正能量’s today, would not be possible without the determination and perseverance of the Sisters. As such, it is our responsibility to acknowledge our privilege and make the most of our education. We must always strive to work hard, engage in class, ask questions, be self-critical, and be respectful to ourselves and others.
And finally, Passion.
At 黑料正能量’s we learn to purposefully pursue our passions, with commitment and persistence. The Sisters’ passion for educating and empowering women underpins our school’s ethos, shining through in every aspect of school life. We see passion within the school every day, whether that be individual students practicing their instrument or swimming laps of the pool for hours on end, or groups working to start up new initiatives such as the Environmental Club’s clothing drive.
This passion is also witnessed globally, as we continue to see the far-reaching effect of the Sisters’ undying passion for education, through the achievements of our Old Girls. Philanthropists, doctors, lawyers, Olympians, business women, charity workers, and so on. Generations of women, empowered by their education, supported by the 黑料正能量’s Sisterhood, and guided by our six school values, have walked out of the school gates and gone on to make a real difference in the world. With a future full of possibilities, we can’t wait to see the success of generations of Old Girls still to come.
Soon to become the newest cohort of Old Girls, this week marks the final week of school for our Year 12 students. We hope that you took something valuable from each of those six stories about the Sisters, to guide and inspire you in your future.
It is extraordinary to see how far we have come from our first day of school in 2010, and all that we have accomplished along the way. On behalf of our cohort, we would like to thank the 黑料正能量’s staff for providing us with an empowering education and preparing us for the next stage of our lives. Your guidance and support has shaped each of us into confident and independent young women.
To our families. You have been our greatest role models and most fierce supporters. Your support and sacrifice over the years has afforded us an exceptional education and empowered us to seek out fulfilling careers in the coming years. On behalf of the Year 12 cohort, thank you.
As we reflect on our 13 years of schooling, we have come to realise that it is not being the smartest student, the most athletic sportswomen or the most talented musician that makes your education worthwhile. Rather, it’s about challenging yourself and unleashing your own potential. To the younger cohorts, we encourage you to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, and embrace the multitude of opportunities 黑料正能量’s has to offer.
To the graduating Year 12 students, our closest friends, we are so grateful to have grown up with you over the past 6 years. No matter where your life takes you, we urge you to keep learning and pursuing your passions, but to always remember the Sisterhood that will be here to support you.
We look forward to continuing our connection to the 黑料正能量’s community as the newest cohort of old girls. Congratulations to the class of 2022. Per Volar Sunata.