Dear Parents and Carers,

Another joy-filled 2 weeks have been enjoyed by all of us at MtA. Our newest students in Years 8-11 are settling into the routine and adventures of a new school environment and our youngest cohort, have enjoyed a fabulous 3 days at Noosa Foreshores making new connections, friendships and memories!

I take this opportunity to publicly thank those staff who gave up time away from their families to facilitate this experience for our 7’s; Jeni Barlow (Head of House -Belle Prairie and Camp Co-ordinator), Michelle Licina (Deputy Principal Student Development and Wellbeing), Sacha Carney (Head of House – Villa Spada) Maria Conway (Head of House - Spoleto), Kayla Davoren (Learning Enhancement and Support), Courtney Daniec (Head of House - Rieti), Kimberley Greene (College Counsellor), Claire Hatchman (Head of Student Activities and Engagement) and Erin Moffatt (Head of House – Perugia). Our students are so blessed to have had these magical days together under the care of our A Team. What a sensational way to commence 2025 for our Year 7’s!

All Smiles at Year 7 Camp!

Our annual Welcome Back Parent Soiree on Friday 31st January was a huge success, our thanks to the 180+ parents and carers who enjoyed pizza and bubbles on the Rooftop Terrace with members of our College Leadership and Extended Leadership Teams. It was a privilege to meet so many current and new families to the College and to hear of the positive start that your daughters have made this year. Thank you for sharing your appreciation of the work that we are doing, we are so grateful. We hope that our connections and partnership with you all will continue to flourish and strengthen throughout the year.

To this end, please don’t forget our International Women’s Day High Tea on Sunday 9th March, and our ‘not to be missed’ annual Christmas in July (details to come!). Our Parent Partnership Panel (aka our welcoming party) continue to be a magnificent support in advocating for our shared strategic priorities and your generous financial contributions (Parent Partnership levy) continue to support key initiatives for our students and community.

Parent Welcome Back Soiree Photo Highlights

Last Thursday we welcomed back the Graduating Class of 2024 and alongside all our student academic achievers of Semester 2 2024 for our Academic Assembly. In recognising the outstanding collective achievement of a median ATAR score of 91.85 and 54 Diplomas, it was truly breathtaking to see our next generation of students achieving record numbers of Bronze, Silver and Gold Academic Awards. We all should feel extremely proud of our students; not only their dedication and their grit but a love of learning which underpins such a high level of achievement. Next week we look forward to celebrating on Assembly those students who have made significant academic improvement.

As part of last weeks’ Academic Assembly we were honoured to introduce the Dr Liana Tanda Memorial Medal. An award which will be announced each year, at the commencement of the year, to a recently graduated student who has excelled in their senior studies and who is now committed to the study and pursuit of Medicine. This inaugural award honours the life and memory of Dr Liana Tanda, Dr, wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend, who as an alumna of Mount Alvernia College was inspired by our Franciscan education and the lifelong friendships she made here. Liana was not only an advocate of women in in Medicine, but also a leader in women’s health as an Obstetrician Gynaecologist. Liana was also a well-respected teacher of junior doctors and those training to become a specialist.

We are confident that this award, from today and into the future, will be bestowed on upon a future generation of accomplished, compassionate, and dedicated Mount Alvernia College Doctors, continuing in the footsteps of Liana. This year, we were grateful for Steve Aitchison (Liana’s husband) to be present with members of Liana’s family and friends to award our Dux of College; Madeleine Colclough with this medal. Madeleine will be commencing her Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast this year and we wish her all the very best in this exciting new chapter.

Madeleine Colclough receiving the Dr Liana Tanda Memorial Medal. A special moment shared with the Colclough family, alongside the Aitchison and Tanda families.

This week we farewelled an integral member of our Mount Alvernia College Community, our Enrolments Registrar, Camilla Horn. Camilla commences her retirement following 13 years at Mt A. For all in our community, you will no doubt remember Camilla fondly as shehas facilitated the enrolment of literally 1000’s of Mt A students past, present and future. She was quite possibly the first person you spoke to or toured with when you enrolled your daughter here. It is no secret that Camilla has held one of the most important jobs in the college, and we are all so indebted to her years of dedicated service, her kind and welcoming disposition, her work ethic, and her Franciscan heart. We will miss you Camilla and thank you for all that you have contributed to our college.

Farewelling Camilla Horn

Thank you for 13 wonderful years at Mt A!

Last week, I opened my book on the Stoics to an excerpt from the writings of Marcus Aurelius.

“Joy for human beings lies in proper human work. And proper human work consists in: acts of kindness to other human beings, disdain for the stirrings of the senses, identifying trustworthy impressions, and contemplating the natural order and all that happens in keeping with it”

The accompanying reflection to this passage was equally compelling and provocative:

“When dog trainers are brought in to work with a dysfunctional or unhappy dog, they usually start with one question: “Do you take it for walks?” They ask because dogs were bred to do certain tasks – to do work – and when deprived of this essential part of their nature, they suffer and act out. This is true no matter how spoiled and nice their life might be.

The same is true for humans. When you hear the Stoics brush aside certain emotions or material luxuries, it’s not because they don’t enjoy them. It’s not because the Stoic life is one bereft of happiness or fun. The Stoics simply mean to help us find our essence – to experience the joy of our proper human work.”

As we continue to find and recognise our purpose and meaning, Joy will be found. What is the (good) human work that you are called to do?

On this 17th Anniversary of the National Apology, we continue to stand strong in our call for truth telling about our nation’s history. We continue to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the empowerment of Australia’s First Nations Peoples. Let us continue to listen, learn and pray for reconciliation.

Peace and all good,

Samantha Jensen

Unpacking NAPLAN: A free webinar for parents