In 2021 the All Hallows’ School Past Pupils Association supported the commissioning of this painting as part of the school’s 160th anniversary celebrations. It was created by Chern’ee Sutton with specific requests for the inclusion of landmarks, symbols and colours that link traditional and contemporary stories about ‘our place’. We see the work respectfully as a collaboration of our ideas and Sutton’s skill to communicate these ideas visually. Chern’ee Sutton’s painting, The Sisterhood 2021, is on display in the school and part of the AHS Potter Library Collection. The artwork has been digitally reproduced with the artist’s permission and applied as an adhesive vinyl skin on two traffic signal boxes located outside All Hallows School. Chern’ee Sutton is a proud Aboriginal artist and Kalkadoon woman from the emu foot province around the Mount Isa area in North West Queensland. Starting in the left-hand corner the large blue star with orange dots represents Catherine McAuley, the Founder of the sisters of Mercy in Ireland. The waves and six smaller stars represent the sisters of Mercy arriving by ship in Brisbane from Dublin on 10 May 1861. The bell represents the Convent Bell, affectionately known as Charles Borromeo, and marks the establishment of All Hallows School. The large U symbol represents the first pupil enrolled, Annie Tighe, with the 15 smaller U symbols representing the original enrolment of 16 boarders. The travelling lines represent the sisters and boarders moving to Adderton in 1863 from their Charlotte Street address. The community symbol represents the establishment of St Ann’s in 1868, the construction of main building 1881 and every other building which was constructed at the school thereafter. In 1911 the badge and motto for the school were introduced. The water holes represent the instillation of the swimming pool in 1913 and the handprints represent the Past Pupil’s association formed in 1925 and the Parents and Friends Association formed in 1959. The 4 smaller community symbols in yellow, blue, white and green represent the introduction of the 4 houses while the pink traveling lines leading off of the painting represents the last boarders graduating in 1971. The mother with her child represents the mothers network formed in 1980, with the Turrbal garden, opening in 2001, signifying the School’s commitment to Reconciliation. In 2003, the 4 houses became 8 as indicated by the 8 smaller community symbols painted in our house colours. It was at this time that the vertical Pastoral Care system was introduced. The large u symbol and small U symbol represents the middle school being reintroduced in 2006. The next travelling lines in grey, represent our farewelling of the sisters of Mercy from the Convent in 2007. The 2 interlocking circles represents the transfer of ownership of the School from the Brisbane Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy to the Mercy Partners in 2013. Finally, the boomerang at the very end of the timeline represents students returning and supporting All Hallows’ School as well as the continuous connection that the students have forged, with the school community. Central to ‘The Sisterhood’ painting are the large blue and rust circle, representing All Halllows’ School, and 8 large coloured community symbols, representing the 8 houses. These houses are Adderton-Green, Coolock- Blue, Gorry- Yellow, Tighe- Purple, Whitty- Red, Mercedes- Orange, Loretto- Pink and McAuley- Grey. Although the houses and the students who proudly represent them are all unique in colour, name and nature, they are all part of the one All Hallows community and they are all connected to each other and the school through the spirit trails. There are 2 blue circles which connect and interlock with the larger rust circle symbolising the sisterhood at All Hallows School and how students, past and present, remain connected. All Hallows’ recognition of the traditional custodians of this site is referenced in the eel in the bottom right of the painting. The eel is of particular significance to the Turrbal People. The three blue dotted circles which each contain a symbol in the centre symbolise the 3 main elements of All Hallows’ Reconciliation Action Plan introduced in 2020. These vital elements show All Hallows’ commitment to reconciliation and the steps that we are taking to achieve this goal. These elements are; Relationships, Respect and Opportunities. Other significant circles in this painting represent the 6 School values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Compassion, Joy and Justice. The handprints around the edge of the painting represent the support, commitment and care which is given to the girls at All Hallows from the school, staff and other students. Chern’ee Sutton has also captured the floral symbol associated with the School – the magnolia. The magnolia flowers and leaves throughout the artwork symbolises the blossoming of our young women after being nurtured, educated and supported. The yellow dots around these flowers are the seeds symbolising the next generation learning and growing being a part of the sisterhood of All Hallows’ School.
