Zero Discrimination Day

On the 1st of March, people around the world are invited to celebrate Zero Discrimination Day. This year's theme, Stand Out, encourages everyone to stand for fair and just societies.

Discrimination means the unjust treatment of another. It is often based on stereotypes and irrational judgements related to gender, nationality, age, cultural identity, sexual orientation or religion. Discrimination remains widespread and has very real effects on the self-esteem, mental wellbeing and physical safety of people who experience it. It can be limiting of a person’s access to basic human rights including education, employment and housing.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has stated, "When the most marginalised and vulnerable face discrimination and abuse, all of us are diminished. This is why the United Nations is strongly committed to upholding human rights and dignity for all."

In our Franciscan tradition we have a wonderful example of inclusion and peace in the story of meeting of Saint Francis and the Sultan of Egypt that took place in 1219 during the Fifth Crusade. The story goes that Saint Francis and Brother Illuminatus crossed the battle lines unarmed and were captured by the Sultan’s army. The soldiers spared their lives and brought them before the Sultan.

Saint Bonaventure described the encounter, writing, “The sultan asked them by whom and why and in what capacity they had been sent, and how they got there; but Francis replied that they had been sent by God, not by men, to show him and his subjects the way of salvation and proclaim the truth of the Gospel message. When the sultan saw his enthusiasm and courage, he listened to him willingly and pressed him to stay with him.”

It is said that Francis greeted the Sultan with the greeting, “May the Lord give you peace,” similar to the traditional Muslim greeting of, “Assalam o alaikum” or “Peace be upon you.” This surprised the Sultan who was struck by Francis’ holiness. Francis proceeded to preach the Gospel to the Sultan in such a way that al-Kamil was not offended. The Sultan could see the love that flowed from Francis. They spoke together of the spiritual life and reflected on each other’s traditions.

Scholars believe that this meeting had a significant effect on both men and that they were both changed by the encounter.

In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis reflects in this story. He writes, “Francis did not wage a war of words aimed at imposing doctrines; he simply spread the love of God… In the world of that time, bristling with watchtowers and defensive walls, cities were a theatre of brutal wars between powerful families, even as poverty was spreading through the countryside. Yet there Francis was able to welcome true peace into his heart and free himself of the desire to wield power over others. He became one of the poor and sought to live in harmony with all.”

At Mount Alvernia College, we seek to be a place of genuine welcome where everyone is included and finds a place to thrive. We do not accept language and behaviour that is not respectful. But it truly takes a community to challenge discrimination. When we see it or hear it we must be upstanders rather than bystanders and call it out. That is the way we do things at Mount A.

Let us value and embrace diversity. Let us recognise the diverse talents and skills that each person brings to our community. By learning to celebrate difference we can build social cohesion and a more just world.

Let us pray:

Loving God, creator of all things,

take from our hearts and minds the ignorance and fear that judges others by

the colour of their skin, their cultural identity, their gender, their age,

and whatever may make them different.

May we see them as your sacred creation, our sister and brother,

and let your love and justice be our guide. Amen.

Kedron Youth Rally

This year the Parish of St Therese and St Anthony (Little Flower) Kedron will be holding one youth event per term. These events are opportunities for students to connect with other young people from the Franciscan schools of Kedron and beyond.

Please find attached information about the first youth event of the year from 5.00 – 8.00pm on Sunday 16 March. The focus of this term's rally will be Love in Action: Service and Selflessness and living Matthew Chapter 25 Verse 40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did to me.” The presenter is Sione Moehona.

Parent Workshop: The Brain Calming Method

Last year, Mr Paul Jarvis facilitated a number of workshops with staff and students in Years 7 and 10 about what neuroscientists call “cognitive overload” - a state of feeling stressed and overwhelmed - and the evidence behind how best to address it. Drawing on his extensive career in education, Paul teaches a brain-calming method - without screens - that is effortless and a very effective way to promote mental rest.

To build on the workshop held on Tuesday 18 February, Paul will facilitate two additional workshops on Tuesday 4 March and Tuesday 18 March. Each of these workshops will guide participants in the practice of the brain-calming method.

Parents, students and siblings (including those attending other schools) are welcome to attend one or both of these additional workshops.

Date: Tuesday 4 March and Tuesday 18 March

Time: 6.00 – 7.00pm

Venue: Assisi Room

Please enter via the main entrance on Cremorne Road and follow the signs to the foyer of the Anthony Building. If you arrive before 6.00pm, the lift will be staffed to take you to the third level. If you arrive after 6.00pm, please take the stairs to the third level.

Shrove Tuesday Fundraiser

Next Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday. It is the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The name of the day is derived from the tradition of shriving: the act of being forgiven following confession. Christians traditionally visit their church on Shrove Tuesday to confess their sins before the start of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday, as it became a custom to use up surplus fatty ingredients – such as butter and cream – by eating pancakes as a meal. Elsewhere, the day has also been called "Mardi Gras", meaning "Fat Tuesday."

On Tuesday 4 March, Rieti House will be holding the first of our House fundraisers this year: a pancake stall to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The pancake stall will be held on the Picnic Rug before school next Tuesday. Pancakes will be $1each and students will be able to choose whipped cream and jam as toppings. Payment will be by cash or student ID card.

Ronald McDonald House Charities support seriously ill children and their families. Their Houses provide a comfortable place to stay for parents, guardians, carers and their siblings while their child is undergoing treatment in a nearby hospital. Part of what makes these Houses unique is that families are able to benefit from the compassionate support of volunteers and staff, and the companionship of other families who are navigating a similar journey. Ronald McDonald House Charities also provide learning programs that assist children with serious illnesses and injuries to catch up on their learning following treatment and recovery. All services are free to families thanks to donations from sponsors, supporters and the donors.

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday 5 March is Ash Wednesday. This day marks the beginning of Lent and calls us to reflect upon our lives – both what we do well and what we could improve. The season of Lent is a preparation for the most significant event of the Christian calendar: the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a time to be transformed through our experience of God, to deepen our understanding of the ethical imperative to live justly, and to give to the poor as a sign of our solidarity with them.

The Mount Alvernia College community will mark Ash Wednesday with a liturgy during Homeroom time. During the liturgy, ashes will be distributed as a symbol of our mortality, humility and sacrifice. All members of the Mount Alvernia College community are invited to receive the ashes.

Going Meat-Free during Lent

On Ash Wednesday and every Friday during Lent, La Cucina will be meat-free. Abstaining from meat on these days is an old tradition within the Catholic Church. It is like fasting or not eating particular types of meat common to other religious traditions (such as Judaism and Islam). Franciscan people are also aware of the justice dimension of going meat-free for one day per week. For some years now, we have heard that forgoing meat one day each week minimises our impact on the planet. In addition, abstaining from meat is an act of solidarity with the poor majority world. Firstly, the global poor simply cannot afford to consume a meat-based diet and experience hunger when they cannot afford or access food. Secondly, it is the global poor that is the most affected by the effects of climate change. Reducing food waste is another behaviour that can allow us to walk more gently on the earth.

Project Compassion

During our Ash Wednesday liturgy we will launch the 2025 Project Compassion Appeal. Project Compassion is the major fundraiser of Caritas, the Catholic Church’s agency for global development. This year, the Project Compassion Appeal highlights the impact of Caritas’ work and invites us to Unite Against Poverty.

The money raised through this appeal is used to develop long-term development programs in partnership with some of the world’s most vulnerable communities for whom poverty and injustice is a daily reality. During Lent, each student is asked to consider what they can give up and to donate the money they save to people in need. Together, we can help vulnerable communities.

All donations to your child’s House team can be made by visiting the Mount Alvernia College Project Compassion online portal or by scanning the QR code below. Scroll down to Teams, select your child’s House, then donate. For more information, visit the Caritas website.

International Women’s Day

Next Saturday 8th March is International Women’s Day. It is an annual day of advocacy for the advancement of women's rights and participation socially, politically and economically.

This year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” calls for action to advance equal rights, opportunities and agency for women. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation—youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls—as catalysts for lasting change.

The College will celebrate this day in a number of ways:

Thursday 6 March: Drama Club performance and prayer on Assembly. The Z Club will distribute purple ribbons.
Friday 7 March: Young Women Leaders Soiree that will be attended by our College Captains.
Sunday 9 March: The College’s annual International Women’s Day Brunch (10.00am – 12.00pm) at Victoria Park.

We hope each family will also take some time next weekend to celebrate the significant women in their lives.

(Adapted from International Women’s Day 2025, https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-days)

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