Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that you have all enjoyed the final days of summer and are looking forward to (as I am) the pleasant months of Autumn in Queensland.

Inter-house Swimming Carnival

The positivity and energy of 2023 continues be alive and well here at Mt A and it was no more visible than at our Interhouse Swimming Carnival last Friday. Never before have we seen such a stunning turn out of colour and house spirit! I extend my congratulations to all that participated in our events be they competitive or novelty and to our brilliant new team; Head of Sport – Charmaine Ferguson and Sports Coordinator; Kat McMain and to all of the PE staff and teachers who worked so hard to make it such a memorable day.

CaSSSA Swimming Carnival

Similarly, we thank all of our Year 8 cohort cheer spectators and accompanying staff for their support of our CaSSSA Swim Team who did us proud in the Large Schools Carnival on Thursday 9 March.

“The Swap” SBS Series

We hope that many of you were able to tune into “The Swap” this Wednesday evening on SBS. Along with members of the CLT and other key staff, we were excited to join with the family members of Eliza and Martina and the entire cast and crew to watch the first episode together at Brisbane’s Multicultural Centre – it was a premiere complete with popcorn and red carpet! Along with a number of dignitaries and special guests including His Grace Archbishop Mark Coleridge and Imam Uzair, the students did a magnificent job responding to a panel Q&A at the conclusion of the first episode. If you have not had the opportunity to watch the first episode yet, I invite you to experience it for yourself via the link below.

https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/the-swap

I could not be prouder of our students and all who have courageously put themselves forward to further interfaith dialogue and cultural respect in our country. In terms of our own Strategic Plan, our first imperative is to continue to cultivate a Contemporary Franciscan Community and I believe our involvement (alongside our brothers at Padua College) is going a long way towards achieving this.

To think that it was just over 800 years ago, during the Fifth Crusade, that St Francis of Assisi reached out to Malek-al Kamil the Sultan of Egypt in a gesture of connection and peace. In this spirit, I would like to think that we are in some way continuing this legacy of encounter, connection and dialogue in the name of peace and understanding. We are most certainly doing our bit in rebuilding the church today!

Premiere Photos

Greetings from Japan…..

In February of this year, Ellen Toston (Class of 2022) travelled to Nigawa Gakuin, a Franciscan school in Hyogo Prefecture to begin her time as an exchange student. We can report that Ellen has settled in very well with her new host family and recently made an impressive speech on assembly that wowed the students with her outstanding Japanese language skills. During her exchange, Ellen is undertaking the regular curriculum including Japanese Literature – no small feat! In addition to participating and leading activities with younger students in English. We are so proud of Ellen’s courage and sense of adventure in taking up this wonderful exchange opportunity. At Mount Alvernia College, our graduate profile speaks “ tolerance and global perspectives” and this is precisely what Ellen is living. Congratulations Ellen and we look forward to further updates from you.

Similarly, we look forward to hosting students from Nigawa Gakiun in July of this year and will be eager to hear from families who would be willing to act as host families to our visiting Japanese sisters for a few nights during their tour. We will let you know further details as they come to hand.

International Women’s Day

This Wednesday was International Women’s Day and in celebrating this day, we know that there is still much to be done in terms of embracing equity. I share with you this week a beautiful prayer adapted and authored by Deborah Hirt, of Franciscans International.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace:

Bless all women who daily strive to bring peace to their communities, their homes and their hearts. Give them strength to continue to turn swords into plowshares.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love:

We pray for all women who face prejudice, inequality and gender disparities. Help us see and to face the discrimination against women in all the many forms it may take.

Where there is injury, pardon:

Comfort all women who suffer from the pain of war, violence, and abuse. Help them to become instruments of their own reconciliation and peace.

Where there is division, unity:

Forgive all women and men who let differences breed hate and discrimination. Let your example of valuing all of creation help us to see that we are equal partners in the stewardship of your world.

Where there is darkness, light; where there is untruth, truth:

Comfort all women who struggle in the darkness of abuse, poverty, and loneliness. May we stand with them in light to acknowledge their suffering and strive to remove the burdens of shame or embarrassment.

Where there is doubt, true faith:

We pray for all women who live in fear of their husbands, fathers, and forces that control their lives. Help them to be empowered to be their true selves through your everlasting love and faith.

Where there is despair, hope:

We pray for all women who live in the despair of poverty, violence, trafficking, slavery, and abuse. May the light of your love bring them hope.

Where there is sadness, new joy:

Help us to see the strength and goodness in all women and men.

Transform our hearts to celebrate the love and grace of all people.

And may we be blessed with the courage of St. Clare of Assisi to follow our own path of love for you and all sisters and brothers.

Peace and all good,

Samantha

Save the date!

Mother & Daughter Engagement Twilight