Assistant Principal (Students and Engagement)

It has been a wonderful start to the 2023 Academic Year. Students are fully embracing the opportunities across learning, co-curricular and social interactions. There is a real sense of joy of being able to embrace the opportunities with limited effect of Covid-19 interruptions.

One such opportunity was the House Swim Carnival. With high temperatures forecast, our Hot Weather Policy was enacted, making a family decision to attend It was wonderful to see the Year 12s who led the way with their participation and encouragement of the students in their houses. Following is a report from two Year 7s, Hannah Marazita and Alexia Inguanti (7D) who had their first Ave House Swimming Carnival from:

“Our first swimming carnival at Ave Maria College was inspiring, although it was very hot. The Year 12 students looked proud and confident in their house colours as they ran their lap of honour. This is a rite of passage that as year 7’s we look forward to”

Students wasted no time getting involved in the swimming races. Each house made posters, and everyone cheered loudly gaining as many points as possible for their house. This was so much fun. There was a sea of sparkly hats, coloured tutu’s in orange, purple, blue and green. This made us feel a sense of connectedness to our house.

Although it was very hot; it was still a magical day. There were 100-metre, 50-metre and 25metre swimming events to participate in. There were also novelty races that included water ball games such as volleyball and many other fun water activities. We made new friends and the whole school came together to share in this special and inclusive event.

Another highlight was led by Emma Doyle, an international coach/speaker who presented to our Year 8-12 leaders at the Student Leadership Seminar reported by Natasha Castello 10E:

“Emma Doyle's presentation at our leadership seminar was an unforgettable experience for me. As she walked in, she was beaming with energy and her first words were, "lead with energy," because leading with energy makes an engaging and passionate leader. She started as a young girl from Keilor East and has since grown into an amazing individual who has certainly inspired me and everyone else in that room that we, too, can make a difference through leadership.

Emma Doyle inspired me to become not just a leader, but an energetic leader who engages, listens, supports, and acts. The opportunities she showed me were incredible, from teaching us to reframe common challenges to looking through the hawk eye perspective, which allows me to see not only the staff's and leaders' perspectives but also the viewpoint of students and the larger community. I also learned how to apply my ideas using the G.R.O.W model: Goal, Reality, Options, and Way forward. Emma Doyle is a leader and a coach, but she is also an inspiring individual to everyone and a true role model to me.”

The connection and voice of our students continues to be strengthened at Ave, leading our young people to embrace life, grow in their resilience and support their wider communities.