Dear Ave Maria Community,

Farewell to the Class of 2023

Over the first few weeks of this term, the College said farewell to the graduating class of 2023. To make their farewell special, the College held their final Year 12 Assembly as a formal farewell, a celebration day and then the Graduation Mass and Valedictory Dinner. The three days of celebration were a wonderful mark of respect to this incredible group of young adults.

As they conclude their education with us, we wish them well for their examinations and thank them for their contribution to the Ave community, sharing with them our hopes for their future using our college name as a guide.

A is for continuing to have an adventurous spirit so that you can go out into the world with confidence and courage.

V is for being versatile, and using what you have learnt here in life, in your career, so you can adapt to the ever-changing world around you.

E is for endeavour and enterprise, so that you may always be curious and give your best.

M is continuing to be motivated, so you can always work towards your goals, even when things get tough, or, the circumstances around you change.

A is for remaining appreciative of all of God’s gifts and for those around you that continue to support you throughout life’s journey.

R is for maintaining your inner radiance so that you can be a positive light in the world, similar to the star on our college crest.

I is for being influential and impactful, so that you make choices that leave a positive impact on the world.

And finally, A is for you to continue to be an advocate to the less fortunate with your community and being true to your values. Mary and Helene have taught you to stand up for what in the world.

The journey through secondary school is different for each young person and it does not occur without the support of families and staff. In fact, we often say it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to educate one.

To our parents and carers, thank you for the ongoing support, love and care you have given your daughters during their time with us. And for the ongoing support, love and care they will continue to receive from you throughout their life journey. Most importantly, thank you for trusting us with their secondary school education.

Thank you to the outstanding work of our teachers and staff, whether this year or in previous years. You have challenged, encouraged, guided, shaped, and taught these young adults and are deserving of our highest praise. I thank (in particular) the way the Year 12 Mentor Teachers and more specifically Ms Lear and Ms Rushbrook, for their dedicated care and service to you over the course of this year.

And finally, to the Graduating Class of 2023 congratulations and sincere best wishes for the future. May you continue to strive for truth through love in the years well beyond your time at Ave.

Year 12 Student Leadership Team 2024

As you may remember in the last newsletter, it was my great honour to announce the College Co-Captains for 2024. Since then, the College has finalised the remaining Year 12 Student Leadership appointments. It is with great pleasure that I share the below information with you as part of this newsletter publication.

College Captains: Sienna Athaide and Charlotte Rowbottom

Franciscan Captains: Erica Di Matteo and Amelia Formosa

Academic Captain: Georgia Cullie

Arts Captain: Amelie Schembri and Sophie Smith

HOUSE CAPTAINS

Clare House: Isabella Ewing and Beth Gollant

Francis House: Anna Jackson and Tylah Bell

Helene House: Ava Newman and Sienna Peso

Mary House: Sarah Gillard and Chiara Hutchinson

Each of these leaders will bring their own talents, aspirations and ideas to the team and their leadership role. We wish them all the very best as they take up their important positions of student leaders at Ave Maria College.

Arts and Technology Festival 2023

Congratulations to all our students for the wonderful work submitted and displayed as part of the Arts and Technology Festival. The subjects represented included:

• Media
• Studio Arts
• Visual Communication and Design
• Drama
• Music Performance
• STEM and Product Design

The creative talent of our students is both inspirational and a cause for celebration. Well done to all! A special thank-you to the Arts and Technology staff who worked with our students to make sure this event was the success that it has been. In particular, I would like to thank Ngaire Wallace, Domain Leader: Visual Arts, Cassandra Hutchison, Domain Leader: Performing Arts and Kate De Bolfo, Domain Leader: STEM, for their vision and collaboration to put this event together. Thank you to all the staff who worked to make this event such a success. And finally, thank you to all the students, staff and families who attended on the night.

God bless and as a community may we continue to strive for truth through love.