Deputy Principal

Dear Parents/Carers

Sydney Marathon is in the final qualification stages to become the sixth Abbott World Marathon Major. There is a strict criterion to be a successful candidate and if successful will join Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Paris and New York. This will indeed become one of the most iconic running events in Australia and the world. Once nominated, the process takes three years and consists of significant growth of marathon finishers and huge community support. Having run Sydney marathon last year, I will again lace up to help make this happen. But I am only one person. They need over 18,000 finishers (and this is only one of the strict criteria). Now while I would like to be promoting that we all jump on a plane and head to Sydney in September, I want to reinforce the impact of a community. The community of Sydney and Australia have embraced this exclusive opportunity, and the vibrant crowds swept the entire 42.2km course. It reinforces to me that when a community come together for a common purpose, anything can be achieved. When there is a united front of inspirational people, anything can be achieved. When people connect in spirit to make the impossible possible, anything can be achieved. I can’t help thinking, we are doing this at Mt A and what a great place it is to be! We are well known for our strong sense of community and support of one another, so it comes to no shock that anything can be achieved here. 

I feel extremely privileged this term, stepping into the Deputy Principal – Staff Development and Organisation role while Ms Kerry Jell takes a well-deserved Long Service Leave. I spoke with the Staff during Staff week and highlighted the importance of connection in our community. As you can tell from my introduction, it is my vision for this term. It is imperative that all staff, new and returning, students and family feel a strong bond with the Mt A community. It is a fast-paced world we live in; it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, yet it’s the connections with one other that fuel our motivation, that inspire us to strive for better, and offer us a sense of belonging that cannot be measured. I hope the new staff at Mt Alvernia feel very welcomed. We have been gifted with a sensational team of educators and administrators. To all staff, parents and students take the time to get to know them and appreciate the talents and skills they will offer to our community for many years ahead.   

Working alongside our staff is a source of immense pride to me. There is a wealth of knowledge, tremendous skillset, and innovation amongst them. Their tireless efforts and unwavering support are what inspires and empowers students to achieve well – and how well did we do in 2023!! The recent Academic Mentor Meetings is just one example where quality partnerships between staff, family and students is vital for the success of all students, no matter what their academic journey looks like. I encourage parents to continue to engage with our wonderful teaching staff throughout the year and know that your child’s journey is very important to us. 

I welcome you to 2024 -together, let’s put on our running shoes and enjoy every step of the way. 

We welcome to the College:

"Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible."—Francis of Assisi

Tamara Richardson