From the Desk  of the Principal

Given that this will be last formal message to the Mount Alvernia College community in Term 1, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students, parents, and staff for their support, care, and patience of me these past nine weeks.  It has certainly been an adjustment moving interstate and learning the nuances of a new Queensland system, coupled with that of a new school and its operations.  Having said this, entering the vibrancy of a new community and the alignment of shared visions has truly made this first term a joy for me. 

I have now met with each staff member of Mount Alvernia College, and have undertaken conversations with several small student focus groups and a series of learning walks throughout the term to gain an authentic understanding of the good work that is being carried out each day in our college, to gauge our collective hopes and aspirations, as well as areas for improvement.  I am feeling very positive about what the future holds for our college and look forward to the journey we share together in this next chapter.  The College Board, in conjunction with the College Leadership Team, will begin the next Strategic Direction for the College in 2021, and I look forward to providing you with more information on this process in the coming months.

Of particular note, we would like to publicly acknowledge and thank our outgoing President of the Parents and Friend Support Network, Matthew Nolan, for his work in leading this important team of parent supporters over the past six years.  Similarly, we would also like to express our deep gratitude to members of our outgoing Alumnae Committee.  President Kerri Ketelhohn, Noela Blackmore, Kathy Cherry, Dearne Chisholm, Marilyn Couch, and Gwenda Organ have worked tirelessly to ensure that our shared history, memories, artefacts, and connections are kept alive.  These are significant contributions by all those named above, and we offer our sincere thanks to all who have so generously volunteered their time and skills to ensure we have the strong community we share today. 

Please be reminded that we are still seeking nominations for the role of President P&FSN welcome nominations for this position by emailing pandf@mta.qld.edu.au.

We are Proud of our Students

We have observed with much pride the way in which our students have taken to their first iteration of examinations this year.  Having spent the last ten years in Victoria, I can assure parents that the routine and practice of undertaking examinations is an integral component to confidence and success in Year 12 external examinations.  To this end, examinations need to be understood as a learning experience and not merely an indication of academic progress.  Exams provide students with the opportunity to become familiar with command terms, writing under timed conditions, responding to unfamiliar stimulus and non-routine questions, managing their time, and gaining some insight into those areas of examination technique which might require further practice.  It is important for students and parents alike to understand that we are committed to working towards improvement, not perfection.  The educational buzz word ‘resilience’ can only be attained through consistent application and, from time to time, sitting through a level of discomfort to attain and accomplish new goals, and this is true in life more broadly.

I am also reminded of the Aristotle quote I shared with our students in the first weeks of term: “We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”  I am pleased to report that many of our students are responding well to this challenge.

Matter of Consent - Part 2

The College Captains and Ms Butterworth met last week to review and discuss further ways in which all students can feel equipped, empowered, and supported in discussing and navigating respectful and right relations.  In Term 2 we look forward to working with our Pastoral Team - including School Psychologists - in refining further aspects of our Personal Development program for Term 2 that speak to these issues more explicitly.  It is important that we continue to evaluate the efficacy of our programs in response to student feedback and in keeping with further advice, resources, and guidance provided to us by QCEC and the Queensland Government.  In my last newsletter entry, you will recall I emphasised the important role that parents and caregivers must also play in this significant issue as we work together in supporting our girls. 

Mount Alvernia College is committed to the safety and wellbeing of each one of our students and, in doing so, we will continue to encourage them to seek advice or support as and when required. 

Community Consultation

You may recall from an earlier letter sent to Mount Alvernia and Padua College families that we held our community consultation meeting on the Padua College Greccio Campus on 10 March from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.  This ‘drop in’ consultation was called to inform the local community about the change in land use as part of the purchase of the Council Depot site.  The meeting also gave the Colleges an opportunity to discuss, in general terms, some of the possible educational uses of the site.  Alongside me at this consultation afternoon were members of Planning Initiatives, the Rector of Padua College -  Peter Elmore - and members of our respective leadership teams.  In total, twelve people from the local community attended and, while they all had specific questions, all of them were very supportive of the purchase of the site by the two colleges.  The community consultation period ends on 7 April.

May your deeds be an outpouring of love during this Holy Season.

“You know well enough that our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them”. 

St Therese of Lisieux

I sincerely wish the community of Mount Alvernia College a safe and blessed Easter holiday.

Peace and all good

Samantha Jensen