Parent Corner

Year 10 Pastoral Guardian

It is hard to believe that we are almost at the end of Week 6.  This term so far has been very busy, as Year 10 students have been positively juggling new subjects, cocurricular commitments, part-time jobs, and spending time with family and friends.  It is important to ensure that, during this busy time, all Year 10 students care for themselves and find time to stop and reflect.  

 

I would like to acknowledge nine Year 10 students – Eden Cook, Amber Janas, Alice Kelly, Tia Kinghorn, Sophie Papantoniou, Lily Ryan, Taya Walters, Bridget Waterson, and Erin Winstanley - who recently attended the GRIP Student Leadership Conference.  These students all participated in activities with enthusiasm and confidence, showing pride in Mount Alvernia College.  The Core Values of this leadership program were Generosity, Responsibility, Integrity, and People.  I look forward to seeing how these girls put into action during the year the skills they developed at the workshop.  Below is a reflection from Sophia Papantoniou about her experience during the day. 

 

Last Monday, eighteen students from both Years 10 and 8 attended the GRIP Leadership Conference, where we developed new skills to further enhance our leadership qualities. Over the course of the day, we were exposed to new techniques and skills through various activities and workshops which were run throughout the program.  A main message that was communicated throughout the program was how to involve more people in school initiatives and activities.  From this topic, we were exposed to various techniques to help engage more people in activities around the school, with one of them being not to directly address the issue.  This technique was addressed at the conference as the GRIP staff found that, when students directly address an issue such as a lack of participation in events, it is more likely for people to not be involved in that certain activity.  From this, we learned to address issues in different ways in order to not specifically tell students what they can do to further be engaged in all aspects of an activity.  Overall, the day was a very enjoyable experience where we students could further develop our leadership skills and qualities.

Each year, the Brisbane City Council offers secondary school students an opportunity to be part of several programs that assist students to develop leadership, team building, and resilience skills.  The Lord Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (LMYAC) provides a forum for young people to discuss issues that are important to them, directly with the Lord Mayor and Civic Cabinet members.  This year Sofia Poy has been selected to represent Mount Alvernia College.  Another program offered to high school students is the Lord Mayor's Young Environment Leadership Network (LMYEL).  This year, Elizabeth Johnston, Jessica Chripczuk Morales, and Caitlin Howard have been selected to be part of this program.  Their first task will be to identify an environmental issue at our college and suggest actions they can take to improve this.  These students will all attend several meetings throughout the year to share ideas with other seconday school students and contribute to the success of these projects.  Congratulations to all four girls for their interest and dedication, and for being selected in these programs.  I  wish them all well for their future meetings, and look forward to hearing all about it and the positive initiatives that can be used at Mount Alvernia College.

Sofia
Elizabeth
Jessica
Caitlin
Sofia
Elizabeth
Jessica
Caitlin

Many other Year 10 students have been involved in activities outside the classroom, including clubs, musical auditions, sporting teams, music lessons, and House Captain applications.  Tomorrow is our Interhouse Swimming Carnival.  This is a perfect opportunity for all students to swap the classroom and technology with the outdoors and a chance to show their house spirit, either competing in the pool or cheering on their fellow house members.  I look forward to spending time with Year 10 students during this day.  

 

I wish Year 10 students the best of luck for all assessments and cocurricular competitions for the rest of the term.  I challenge each Year 10 student to aim high and raise the bar.  I look forward to hearing more success stories throughout the year. 

Conversation Starters

  • How are you raising the bar inside and outside the classroom?
  • What are events in which you are involved, both in and outside of school?
  • Have you printed the Assessment Calendar and highlighted your subjects?

Teena Christofis