The start of this term has provided our community with many opportunities to come together and celebrate the wonderful features of our school. On Tuesday 8 August, we gathered as a Catholic community to celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The liturgy reminded us of the importance of pausing to pray and give thanks for Mary MacKillop’s life, her lasting influence on the world, and her legacy as a woman of deep faith and inspiration.

Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who responded to the educational needs of poor and isolated children. They established the first Josephite school in Penola, South Australia, in 1866. Their mission continued with schools opening across the country, including our own, with the arrival of the Sisters here in 1880.

In 1871, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop encouraged us to “be full of hope.” While this is sometimes easier said than done, hope requires both optimism and a positive attitude. At St Anthony’s, we strive to nurture students who are hope-filled and resilient. This was powerfully evident today as we celebrated Daffodil Day. The generosity and positivity shared across the school—through the splash of yellow and the joy of our cupcake stall—gave us a tangible sense of hope.

I continue to be in awe of the generosity of our parent community, who consistently support not only the needs of our school but also those of the wider community. For Daffodil Day, we set a goal of raising around $500. Thanks to your support, donations, and the success of the stall, we raised in excess of $800—an amazing achievement.